Deadshot wrote:

Spetulhu wrote:

locarno24 wrote:

Experience counts too. If you have a veteran who has alot of say ice world combat experience, a Sgt who has less, the Sgt would be wise to use the skills the veteran has.

Agreed. But the sergeant would still command. One of the most important skills a junior officer can learn is how to take advantage of the fact he has a more experienced subordinate without basically surrendering his authority; it's a classic trope for navy midshipmen, army 2nd lieutenants and so on in books, films - and real life...

As they say, there's nothing more dangerous than a fresh 2nd Lt with a map and compass. :-)

As for the marines they're IMO more like SpecOps than regular army. People have ranks because ranks are required, but it's much looser than in a normal regiment. Before battle they probably try to get input from everyone with applicable experience. Can the TechMarine get range for their artillery, can the Librarian handle enemy sorcerers, does some Veteran Brother have experience fighting these opponents? In battle they'll normally follow the orders of their commander, but being flexible a veteran or sarge might see something worth exploiting and call it in to the commander who then has to approve the action and change his plan if it looks like a good idea.

Or the Captain might have a plan of action but a sudden new development means the lower rank doesn't have time to ask permission and must act and suffer the consequences. Or the Captain might be making a fatal mistake and prompt disobediance