Hi Brian
I don't think you are being argumentative more inquisitive but if you don't want to get
murdered don't post thing like
"Perhaps the answer is to go the Canadian way and merge all services."

(just teasing)
That said did you know the Canadians have hailed it as a disaster in merging the services.
I agree with what you say in that the way that service personnel are trained specifically for their
roles. For this reason it is clearly written down that regardless of rank if personnel are embarked
on board a ship the senior naval officer is in charge until they reach their destination, same goes with
the RAF if you are getting transported by air.
Colin