> But mandating generalist knowledge is actually a norm in other countries. The Brits/Canadians tell a joke about US soldiers: Whereas each member of a british or canadian gun crew is expected to understand and perform all the jobs associated with firing a gun, an American is likely to respond "I pull the rope."
For instance, the Marines encourage a lot of cross-training. First and foremost, it shoots operational cost to the bottom if you have, say, a Corporal that's formally trained in electronics, but also knows their way around MEPDIS gear, HVAC, guns, and troop movement. The reason you'll hear the most touted though: "What if someone dies; who can take their place?" It's like a right of passage in a way. Green Berets, Navy SWIC, and SEAL/S work in under similar lines of thought from what I know. This all aligns to their mission though: seizing forward positions.
The line company Army, however, focuses on specialization. The reasoning is pretty simple: their mandate is to occupy. imo, the way people organize around knowledge is based on the challenges they perceive in the mission ahead. I've yet to figure out how to replicate this in software.