Yes, well. If we could be assured that all officers had once been privates, perhaps we might put an end to all that.

[In the navy, during Norrington's time, men were a great deal more prone to be promoted based on merit. The admiral was not blind, though. There were no shortage of cruel midshipman and he had seen his share of viscious boatswains. Just as there were able bodied sailors with heavy hands... but even so, a man promoted from the ranks must surely feel empathy for those beneath him. At least he would have the choice to act upon that empathy or not. And to James Norrington, that alone made a difference.]