OT - here's an interesting military thought

[tesco samoa]

From the ranks works great in wars for replacements.... But I think that the power of the rank is within the Corporals to Seargents. ANd all the classifications within those ranks. Not to mention specialation.

Since were talking army.

The lifers work with the command and make sure things run smooth.

Now for officers they also go through the ranks just that they start at a higher rank after they pass their training.

Then the issue of NCO vs CO comes into play.

And the question is rased. A soldier is good working with a team of 4 or 5 other soldiers. How does this make this person able to run a company?
It is very democratic in its structure.

Or are you talking about.... So and so's dad is this guy so lets make him a major.

In wars these people get weeded out due to the nature of the beast. In peaceful times it takes a little longer. But it happens.