Scheer commanded only two ships for meaningful periods before becoming Holtzendorff's chief of staff and later leading the General Naval Department under Tirpitz. Those posts used his intelligence but largely required him to execute other men's visions. His departmental authority was much narrower than a British Third Sea Lord's control over dockyards, design selection, construction, and modification. Compared with Jellicoe's appointments, Scheer's roles offered less independent authority and fewer opportunities to develop a command style before he reached battle-squadron leadership. An expanding navy gained an excellent administrator but limited the experience of a future commander-in-chief.
Chapter · 25:20-33:10
Fast promotion limited Scheer's command development
Scheer's value as a staff officer and administrator accelerated his promotion but left him with unusually little independent ship command before senior fleet leadership.