Between the end of the First World War and his return to torpedo boats in 1923, Lütjens worked ashore rather than gaining another sea command. Staff service provided experience, but its support network differed from life aboard a ship. A shore officer could consult a superior, discuss problems with peers, and interact with colleagues outside the immediate military hierarchy. A captain or admiral at sea had fewer equivalent relationships available. Years of successful administration did not automatically prepare an officer to overcome the isolation of shipboard command.
Notable Point · 46:10-47:53
Staff work did not reproduce the isolation of command at sea
Shore appointments gave Lütjens access to superiors and peers without reproducing the communication demands of independent command at sea.