I was never in the regular force, but my experience in a militia regiment in the 1970s led me to believe that there was no worse military sin than reporting someone to higher authority, regardless of the offence. We didn't know the term "omerta", but we sure understood the principle. None of our NCOs were as bad as that example you give, but one or two of our officers were the sort of men you'd never trust if your female relatives were around. The sexual exploits of one of our company commanders may still be part of the mythology of the regiment to this day (the QM sergeant used to tell some stories about him with great relish, usually finishing off with "... and I had to send the jeep in for suspension repairs the next week."
I can only think of one instance of someone getting commissioned after spending time in the ranks. I didn't know him well, as he'd been the RSM of my cadet unit when I was a lance-corporal ... that's a lot of social distance even in cadets. He certainly brought his RSM attitude along, and was by far the most disliked/feared junior officer we ever had. For all I know, he retired as a Brigadier General ...
"In short, there is a difference between working for success within the organisation and working for the success of the organisation." Reminds of me "to be or to do."
I was never in the regular force, but my experience in a militia regiment in the 1970s led me to believe that there was no worse military sin than reporting someone to higher authority, regardless of the offence. We didn't know the term "omerta", but we sure understood the principle. None of our NCOs were as bad as that example you give, but one or two of our officers were the sort of men you'd never trust if your female relatives were around. The sexual exploits of one of our company commanders may still be part of the mythology of the regiment to this day (the QM sergeant used to tell some stories about him with great relish, usually finishing off with "... and I had to send the jeep in for suspension repairs the next week."
I can only think of one instance of someone getting commissioned after spending time in the ranks. I didn't know him well, as he'd been the RSM of my cadet unit when I was a lance-corporal ... that's a lot of social distance even in cadets. He certainly brought his RSM attitude along, and was by far the most disliked/feared junior officer we ever had. For all I know, he retired as a Brigadier General ...
BTW, I don't know if SubStack follows older blogging habits and indicated a link to one of your posts, but I quoted your part V on my blog earlier on today - https://quotulatiousness.ca/blog/2023/03/13/good-peacetime-generals-versus-good-wartime-generals/
I hope you don't feel I quoted too much from the original!
"In short, there is a difference between working for success within the organisation and working for the success of the organisation." Reminds of me "to be or to do."