In a situation like urban or jungle warfare: small unit actions, you're probably correct. I'm sure you develop an instinct for knowing when you are vulnerable to being surrounded, or cut off, or exposed. You probably develop an instinct for booby traps and good places for the enemy to set up an ambush, or when to expect a raid. You certainly get a chance to practice the complex communications you need to call in fire support, etc. You're really lucky if your officers have lkearned these lessons. You can certainly learn useful lessons and pass them on in your training to the boots. But in general, in modern warefare between evenly matched and equipped units with similar tactics and training, I'd be willing to bet individual skill isn't anywhere near as important to your survival as your entire unit's collective skill. Bowser's offshore example is relevant, in a ship you're just as likely to die (in battle) doing a great job operating a radar as you are in sick bay recovering from an appendectomy. I really would like to see some staristics on this.