Imperial Japanese officers were expected to develop under the guidance of people already serving at the next level of responsibility. A new assignment could be chosen partly because a particular senior officer would mentor the candidate through it. Royal Navy development also involved experience and career requirements, including staff courses, but the Japanese approach placed greater weight on personal assignments than on moving officers through courses in groups. The method depended on a force small enough to give that individual attention repeatedly.
Notable Point · 16:09-17:31
Personal mentoring in Imperial Japanese officer development
Assignments under more senior officers made mentorship a central part of preparing Japanese personnel for each higher level of command.