How naval staffs could balance forceful political leaders

How could naval decision-makers avoid being overmatched in debate by forceful political or senior-service personalities?

A capable senior aide could argue the professional case while the senior officer listened and assumed an apparent umpire role between the aide and the civilian leader.

A forceful political leader could dominate a naval-policy discussion unless someone in the room could test the argument effectively. One proposed response is to give that role to a senior aide. The senior officer could then listen, appear measured, and act as an umpire between the competing positions. This is a negotiating tactic intended to shift influence within the room. It does not remove the civilian representative's formal authority.