When naval aggression produces risk without an advantage

Can a Royal Navy officer be too aggressive?

Yes, when the aggression creates a disadvantage without a worthwhile gain, especially in a peacetime encounter that could escalate.

Aggression becomes a problem when it puts a force at a disadvantage without delivering a compensating gain. Peacetime confrontations create an additional risk because a collision or provocation can escalate beyond the immediate encounter. The comparison uses encounters with Soviet ships. The distinction concerns whether the action serves the mission, rather than a simple preference for cautious or forceful officers.