[Asooka]

A friend told me some time ago that in the German army every person is trained to be able to do the duties of anyone up to 2 levels above him. This is done so any unit, or even just individual soldier, can carry out their mission as intended, rather than as ordered, and so they can keep agile even when communications are down, i.e. they can plan their own strategy based on what the overall objectives are.

[tokai]

It's called auftragstaktik or mission command. I experienced it during my conscription (not German, but we apply it in my country as well), and it worked really good. Before the end of the service I'm certain my division could have retained most of its effectiveness, should you have removed all the ncos and the division commander.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission-type_tactics

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission_command

[potta_coffee]

The USMC also trains this way. If your team leader or squad leader is wounded, you're expected to be able to take his place and be effective.