[PeteB570]

I know, I know it all turned out great.

But in the military a commander is supposed to know what his troops are doing and where they are. Operations officers are planning future operations and everything has to flow right. Flight crews need rest, birds need maintenance and all that has to be planned for also.

The big green/blue machine needs all the little cogs and wheels to keep running smoothly.

[strategofr]

"But in the military a commander is supposed to know what his troops are doing and where they are"

Yeah. There's the little matter of discipline. That's the main difference between an army and an armed mob, as far as I can figure. In reality, I guess every soldier has to decide for himself what to do. But officers have to be pretty strict about enforcement, I'm sure. Case by case does not rule, in this instance.

Publicity, however, can be dominant in a democracy. Publicity will trump discipline here.