I'm willing to bet they didn't teach you in the Marine Corps; "and don't
screw
this up or there will be hell to pay from the Prseident since he's
ultimately
responsible".

Isn't that sort of silly?

I'm glad you've finally realized what you arguing for is silly.

In the Air Force they teach you that you are responsible for the direction
and
supervision of those below your chain of command. However, that does not
mean
you are accountable for their off-duty behavior since we are all expected to
be
professionals.

Well, that is not what they teach in the Marine Corps.

Interesting, but I know quite a few Marines and every now and again their young
bucks get into trouble (as most of us at 18 years old did) and the disciplinary
action is focused directly on the 18-year old and not the NCO or officer above
them. In fact, usually the person handing out the punishment is the officer
charged with their supervision. According to you, there would be hell to pay
for the NCO and every officer up to the 4-star general level (and beyond..) for
the actions of an 18-year old Marine. I find it hard to believe the USMC *ever*
worked that way.

Although you can delegate authority to your subordinates, you always carry
the
ultimate responsibility for all that your unit does or leaves undone."


I've never argued anything different. The key word in the above paragraph is
*ultimate*. You'll notice it does not say that you carry personal
responsibility or even specific responsibility for the actions of everyone
below you in the chain of command. You have ultimate responsibility for the
general performance of that unit. The same holds true for the President, he is
ultimately responsible for the general conduct of the U.S. military as a whole,
not for the individual acts of all 1 million plus men.

I will also say that my experience with the Air Force during my time in the
Marine Corps was not extensive, but I was not overly impressed.

Some how I think the feeling is probably mutual amongst the blue suiters who
were unfortnate enough to meet you.

I think you
are showing me why.

If being unbiased and explaining logically how the chain of command works
offends you, I suggest you stear clear of any newsgroups with "military" in the
title.


BUFDRVR

"Stay on the bomb run boys, I'm gonna get those bomb doors open if it harelips
everyone on Bear Creek"