Captain

Whatever movie you watch, whether it be prequel or original, there is always a man standing in the bridge of one of the star destroyers bossing everyone around.
Now, I know he had to work to achieve that position. But what I’m curious is why did the captains get all the credit? Like if a nebulon b frigate destroyed a imperial victory class, people would say the captain did it. (I’m not trying to dis captains or anything, I’ve always been curious about this both in the Star Wars world and in real life). Any military or ex-military posts are always welcome as maybe the reason for the captains in our world is the same reason for the captains in the Star Wars universe.

Thanks in advance,
Forgotten_Noble

Obviously this is a little off subject from Star Wars, but I’m a real life Navy vet and have witnessed ship captains in action and have known a few personally. The reality is that a ship captain gets to take the 100% of the credit for the successes of his command, but also takes 100% of the blame when something goes wrong, no matter the circumstances. It’s just the way it is, and there are few jobs in the military and hardly any in civilian life with such razor sharp lines of accountability and responsibility.

It’s a lonely life, and many ship captains experience a career ceiling at O-5 or O-6 because they simply can’t live up to the high standards. This is especially true in peacetime, where there are few opportunities for captains to distinguish themselves in important operations, but plenty of opportunities for them to run ships aground, collide with other vessels, or get themselves involved in sexual harassment or some other bullshit.

Frank your Majesty said:

If the ship comes too early out of hyperspace, why does only the captain get force choked by Darth Vader? Same answer. The captain is responsible for the ship, if his decisions lead to success, he gets the credit. Noone will give Turbolase operater #285 a pat on his back for shooting escape pods.

Good point!

sunglassesatnite said:

Obviously this is a little off subject from Star Wars, but I’m a real life Navy vet and have witnessed ship captains in action and have known a few personally. The reality is that a ship captain gets to take the 100% of the credit for the successes of his command, but also takes 100% of the blame when something goes wrong, no matter the circumstances. It’s just the way it is, and there are few jobs in the military and hardly any in civilian life with such razor sharp lines of accountability and responsibility.

It’s a lonely life, and many ship captains experience a career ceiling at O-5 or O-6 because they simply can’t live up to the high standards. This is especially true in peacetime, where there are few opportunities for captains to distinguish themselves in important operations, but plenty of opportunities for them to run ships aground, collide with other vessels, or get themselves involved in sexual harassment or some other bullshit.

I know it’s kinda off topic, but I was curious.
Also, you have a good point, though they have the privilege of getting all the credit, they must also hold all the responsibility.
Thank you for your post and thank you for your service!

Frank your Majesty said:

If the ship comes too early out of hyperspace, why does only the captain get force choked by Darth Vader? Same answer. The captain is responsible for the ship, if his decisions lead to success, he gets the credit. Noone will give Turbolase operater #285 a pat on his back for shooting escape pods.

So you’re saying the Captains are like the quarterbacks of the Empire? I guess that makes Needa the Tim Tebow of the Empire.