Tribal-class crews believed they were an elite within an already elite destroyer service. Officers wrote that they had to be worthy of that confidence and hold themselves to the same demanding standards. Selection favoured decisive leaders who could earn respect and give it, while enforcing the standards their crews expected. Reassignment away from a Tribal, Battle or postwar Daring could feel like a demotion unless promotion or the loss of a ship explained the move. Repeated operational demands also brought heavy losses as the destroyers continued to be used.
Notable Point · 49:21-52:44
How elite destroyer identity reinforced command standards
Tribal crews saw themselves as an elite within the destroyer service, creating reciprocal pressure for officers and sailors to meet unusually high standards.