After becoming vice admiral, Beresford commanded the Channel Fleet and later the Mediterranean Fleet. He emphasised port visits and presentation, while Admiral Scott wanted more exercises and training. Beatty later described his Mediterranean command as rigid and discouraging of initiative. These judgments place personality and status culture inside the wider question of how a modern fleet should prepare officers to act in war.
Notable Point · 45:58-48:08
Fleet command: display, discipline, and initiative
Later fleet commands exposed a leadership style criticised for valuing appearance and rigid status over training and initiative.