Mountbatten combined political and higher strategic skill with competence as a destroyer-flotilla leader. His name and political connections allowed him to skip intermediate commands where he would normally have gained experience. Vian's rise, by contrast, followed combat service and appointments earned through naval action. He ended the war as a vice admiral commanding carriers in the Pacific, while Mountbatten's political abilities took him away from direct fighting into senior responsibilities.
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Mountbatten and Vian reached high command by different routes
Mountbatten's rapid advancement left gaps in intermediate command experience, while Vian's promotion followed repeated naval combat service.