You have to think of it not like an episode but like its real, because it is real. One of things that I can see why the viewer gets confused is that Navy EOD is 'retarded'. By saying that I mean they are not a part of the Big Navy, they do their own thing almost across the board. The uneducated/non-military viewer will not understand this.
Being in the Navy and part of another 'retarded' unit for most of my career up till the last couple of years its easily recognized by me.
These guys aren't acting or acting out. Petty Officer Thibeault is the normal one in my honest opinion. His Junior Petty Officer's are full of attitude. It is nothing out of the ordinary for senior to light up a junior. This looks harsh to the casual observer because for the most part EOD in this show act very 'casually'. And of course the production edits for drama.
There is a good degree of validity in the ideal that you have to have 'some' like of your people and they have to have 'some' like of you. A good leader needs to be able to draw the line though, knowing when to light someone up. The situation in question the fault falls more on the followers than the leader. A leader can be a good leader and still not get anywhere if he has poor followers. Yes the leader needs to motivate and inspire trust but it is a 2-way street, the follower must also be a good follower.
One problem with EOD, especially amongst the young ones, is that they are all super smart guys. To get an EOD contract in the Navy you must qualify for Advanced Programs which means your test scores have to be through the roof. The availability of billets/jobs is so limited that selecting who gets a contract can often be determined by school transcripts, more advanced tests and interviews at higher levels. I have seen a Cornell Engineering Grad not get EOD with pretty good grades. He ended up job locking and not enlisting. He went officer, later trying out for EOD officer, he didn't even get considered. The last EOD Det that I deployed with had a Officer in Charge(a LT) that was a CalTech grad. Ive seen EOD Officers who graduated MIT and Carnegie Mellon.
Thats just for the contract. Only about 65 percent of EOD candidates graduate to become EOD. So what does it all mean Basil? They are smart, headstrung and naturally question the many illogical things one does in the military. Having said that washouts of EOD Teams are common, as problems with authority in a small unit atmosphere aren't tolerated.
I met Ricky when he was a 3rd Class EOD. I would trust him before I would trust any of those young punks.
You're taking a dump and they call GQ do you pinch it off or finish your business?
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