i'm not familiar with the British army, so I can't really speak on this from personal experience, but from what I do know about the Canadian and American military, I would think that there's a world of difference between the people who train recruits and the people who hold top-ranks in the military. Just because you get to "tell people what to do" doesn't mean that you're not being shit on by the 50 commanding officers above you. I seriously doubt they're going to take a rookie police and make him deputy sheriff unless you're willing to suck alot of the right dicks.
Being a commander these days is more about managerial skill than job experience.
I agree, there is always someone above giving orders, unless you are self employed doing something else.
On another note:
From personal experience, I work for this countries biggest home delivery company, and the ineptitude of some of the managerial decisions beggars belief, I wonder how this company stays in business let alone market leader.
The reason is because the people in charge have no experience of the how things work on the ground, they are straight out of university and into management. They have no foresight, and so I have seen them make many very costly mistakes. I dont see much cream rising to the top either, only arse-lickers and grasses get anywhere in the company. I have seen the same scenario in many jobs that ive had, and Ive had a fair few.
From this I come to the conclusion, if you wish to procede up the promotion ladder on whatever your chosen career path.
1. Suck your bosses cock, balls and all.
2. Tread on as many toes as possible to make sure its you that gets the promotion.
3. Repeat 1 & 2.
