I have one more hypothesis, based on what I've learned about the Navy as a reservist and based on my reading of John Kerry's personality.
Imagine you're a sailor joining as an enlisted man. During basic training and training in a specialty, you will have personal contact with very few officers. You are taught to salute the officers and say hello, but personal interaction is discouraged beyond the formalities.
You and the other enlisted men will see the officers as living in a different world. You may respect some, and consider others jerks. But your feelings are rarely strong because of the minimal personal interaction. You do have a feeling that the officers have a world where you're not included. You understand the need for the separation, but it's always a bit of a blow to the ego.
For up to a year, you live in this world. Now, you get assigned to a swift boat. This boat is commanded by a man name John Kerry.
John Kerry at that age already knows he wants to be president. John Kerry knows it won't do any good to have a crew that mocks his command. Kerry seeks out the friendship of the enlisted men. The enlisted men, long blocked out of the officer's world, suddenly feel included. Lieutenant Kerry actually cares what I think! Lieutenant Kerry treats me as an equal!
They may have thought it was a little strange when he hauls out the camera and does re-enactments. But Kerry assures everyone it's all in good fun, and fun is a precious commodity in Vietnam. And if some beer was passed around the boat on a slow day, Lieutenant Kerry was hardly going to risk getting anyone mad.
Most enlisted men would take a great liking to such an officer. All Kerry would demand of the enlisted men is that he continue to be the center of attention. That's a small price to pay for having an officer who gives you so much respect. And Kerry probably regularly mentions how lucky you are to serve on his boat, rather than the boats of certain other officers that don't appreciate their crew as much. You believe him, and feel grateful.
But say you're a fellow officer. How would you feel about such a backstabbing prima donna? It becomes obvious to you that Kerry cares more about his ego and future political career than the safety of the fleet. Kerry figures that his fellow officers aren't going to be his route to fame, so he disdains them in favor of making his movies with the enlisted guys.
This hypothesis fits in well with what we're seeing today. Thoughts?