Military Hierarchy

Military Hierarchy Explained

The concept of military hierarchy is essential for maintaining order, discipline, and efficient command within armed forces. Here are some insights from experts on the subject:

1. Jocko Willink and Dave Burke describe the unspoken hierarchy within the military, which goes beyond the official ranks. While there's a formalized structure, there's also an informal pecking order where individuals know their roles based on experience and authority. This combination of formal and informal hierarchies helps in managing power dynamics within units 1.

2. Gary Arndt from the Everything Everywhere Daily podcast explains the evolution of military ranks:

   • Ancient Persia: Organized their military in units based on factors of ten, from ten-man units (dathobam) to 10,000-man units (bavarabam) with respective leaders.
   • Western Europe: Military ranks reflected feudal systems with clear distinctions between peasants and nobility. Social rank often determined military rank.
   • 18th & 19th Centuries: Professionalization of armies began, allowing for promotion even for common soldiers.
   • Modern Times: NATO standardized ranks across member nations to ensure interoperability during joint operations 2 3.

     Military Hierarchy

     Jocko Willink

     Dave Burke

     Jocko and Dave discuss the connection between military hierarchy and the need for expression of aggression in an acceptable way. They explore the unspoken pecking order within the military and how it can be offset by deliberate hierarchical authority.

     

     Jocko Podcast

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3. CIA Hierarchy, as explained by Andrew Bustamante:

   • The CIA categorizes its hierarchy in a way similar to the military, with different officer levels (e.g., level 1, level 2) that determine authority, pay grade, and experience.
   • There's a structured progression, but few make it to the top ranks where significant leadership roles are held 4.

In summary, military hierarchies involve both formal ranks and informal pecking orders, evolving from ancient systems to modern standardized structures to ensure effective command and interoperability.