Why small commands develop future admirals

A navy can select only from the people who volunteer, so a broad intake matters and promotion should depend on suitability for the job. Shrinking fleets then remove the junior commands where those officers can be tested. Offshore patrol vessels provide relatively forgiving commands for submarine, Fleet Air Arm, engineering, and surface officers before more demanding appointments. A mistake in an OPV during peacetime may be survivable in ways that an error as a submarine commander or major-warship executive officer is not. Early command serves as training and a safety screen. It also gives the navy evidence about which junior officers may have the judgment required for larger responsibilities.