Young and Telford--Who has more authority?

[Snaploud]

It was pointed out (in another thread) that they are the same rank. Yet, Telford tried to over-rule Young during the body-swap scene. Do you think Telford has more seniority? Telford seems to act like the whole group is supposed to be under his command despite the circumstances.

Edit:

I should add this post (from another thread):

Both Young and Telford are full colonels, as they both have an eagle insignia on their uniforms. Young was the commander of Icarus base, and Telford was there to lead the SG team that was supposed to go through the gate when the nine-chevron address was dialed. But of course, the Lucian Alliance attacked and Telford led the 302 squadron against the death gliders.

 

[Dac]

Telford SHOULD be in command, but everyone on the Destiny would answer to Young, simply because he's actually there in the place where anything could happen at a moments notice. Telford seemed pretty pissed off at being out the loop when the event had only JUST occurred, so I doubt that made him many friends aboard Destiny.

 

[Jax]

I like the plot that is starting to form between the two and its clear that Telford has a serious problem with him not being there and Young getting his job. Its also clear that Telford is a complete jackass and I can see him fucking up big time soon, I just hope O Neill or Landry slaps the guy down.

 

[Star Wolf]

I went in thinking it was just fighter pilot arrogance at play as I didn't pick up that Col Telford would command the team going through the gate. Even if Col Telford was tasked to command gate team one it seemed Col Young was the actual base commander. Perhaps a similar ship's Captain versus CAG relationship runs smoother then its USAF counterpart.

 

[Harvey]

I've read in some of the reviews of the first five episodes that Telford was supposed to lead the team on the mission through the Icarus Gate, but I haven't seen any direct confirmation of this on screen. That explanation makes the most sense to me.

 

[BenRoethig]

Young is on scene, so he has authority. Telford, however think he knows better and his pulling his weight around. I'd like to see an episode where Scott reports home and Young and Telford have to deal with each other.

 

[Michael_One]

Within the same rank, US officers have authority based on seniority. Its clear Col Telford has been a colonel longer and thus outranks Col. Young. As others have pointed out Young is the senior officer on site and therefore is in command. The armed forces haven't come up with protocols for command authority in remote presence situations ( that is, through the stones ).

It isn't helping things that Telford is being a real jerk about the whole thing.

 

[Star Wolf]

Within the same rank, US officers have authority based on seniority. Its clear Col Telford has been a colonel longer and thus outranks Col. Young. As others have pointed out Young is the senior officer on site and therefore is in command. The armed forces haven't come up with protocols for command authority in remote presence situations ( that is, through the stones ).

It isn't helping things that Telford is being a real jerk about the whole thing.

I will admit that I haven't seen this show over and over again like with TOS in the 70s so I haven't picked up on this level of detail yet. What was this clear evidence that Col Telford had been a colonel for a much longer time then Col Young?

 

[The Wormhole]

I've read in some of the reviews of the first five episodes that Telford was supposed to lead the team on the mission through the Icarus Gate, but I haven't seen any direct confirmation of this on screen. That explanation makes the most sense to me.

It was mentioned in the pilot that Telford was supposed to lead the SG team through the Icarus gate. There's the scene when Young is giving the senator, Chloe and Eli a tour of the base, he introduces them to Telford and explains as much. And indeed during the first attempt to dial the nine chevron address, Telford and three other guys are in the gate room, geared up. Then later on in the dinner scene, Eli asks Telford what he expects to find on the other end.

As for the issue of whether Telford or Young have seniority, I haven't seen any evidence that either one has seniority over the other. I'm just assuming Telford's attitude is due to his own personality and nothing more.

 

[cultcross]

Within the same rank, US officers have authority based on seniority. Its clear Col Telford has been a colonel longer and thus outranks Col. Young. As others have pointed out Young is the senior officer on site and therefore is in command. The armed forces haven't come up with protocols for command authority in remote presence situations ( that is, through the stones ).

It isn't helping things that Telford is being a real jerk about the whole thing.

I will admit that I haven't seen this show over and over again like with TOS in the 70s so I haven't picked up on this level of detail yet. What was this clear evidence that Col Telford had been a colonel for a much longer time then Col Young?

I didn't spot that either - if anything, I got the impression the opposite was true, but that's largely just because of the way they both act; Young like a reasonable leader, Telford like a petulant child.

I think part of the issue here is that Telford was due to go through the gate, to Destiny, he'd be having this big adventure, and instead has to sit at home next to a stone on a box until Young decides to drop in. Although he's really in the better position, he's probably feeling jealous.

 

[Harvey]

I've read in some of the reviews of the first five episodes that Telford was supposed to lead the team on the mission through the Icarus Gate, but I haven't seen any direct confirmation of this on screen. That explanation makes the most sense to me.

It was mentioned in the pilot that Telford was supposed to lead the SG team through the Icarus gate. There's the scene when Young is giving the senator, Chloe and Eli a tour of the base, he introduces them to Telford and explains as much. And indeed during the first attempt to dial the nine chevron address, Telford and three other guys are in the gate room, geared up. Then later on in the dinner scene, Eli asks Telford what he expects to find on the other end.

Okay, thanks. I know I read about that detail, but I didn't remember seeing it.

 

[watermelony2k]

If Young and Telford were in the middle of switching bodies and one of them died, what would happen?

 

[Mark_Nguyen]

It seems to be an instantaneous process, so I doubt they'd deal with that at any time. They'll probably have to deal with fixing the "swap box" on the Destiny side at some point, since I'd say they don't have the knowledge on-site to deal with it.

Young is obviously the ranking officer on the scene, and they've already touched on the fact that the situation is under military jurisdiction (as everyone on the Destiny is either a soldier or civilian contractor who would certainly have signed a document putting the military in charge in the event of something bad happening). Once things settle down (it hasn't even been three days in the context of the show!) I can expect that Telford will be put in his place as support to the mission he was supposed to command, which is doubtless what is motivating his rather unprofessional jackassery seen so far.

Mark

 

[Tuvok]

From what I could gather Young was the commander of the Base, Telford was the point man to explore the ninth Chevron.

Unfortunately, Young had to haul ass to get away from said base prior to exploding and ended up Pointman, and lost on a relic of an Ancient ship on the far end of the Universe.

 

[vedek]

According to Military regulations, of which the SGC is apart, the senior ranking officer aboard the ship (not linked by Ancient rocks) is in command, therefore Young is in command. However, should a subordinate feel he is not competent to command, he can be relieved under regulations provided he can show just cause that said officer is not competent and show proof either with evidence or the second of another officer or non-commissioned officer.

 

[Lucky Charms]

I seem to remember reading somewhere that there is suppose to be a past between Telford and Young. Seems Telford's issues with Young go beyond simple jealous and missing his big chance.

 

[Snaploud]

According to Military regulations, of which the SGC is apart, the senior ranking officer aboard the ship (not linked by Ancient rocks) is in command, therefore Young is in command.

I doubt the regulations make any mention of Ancient rocks (which is where we run into problems). My guess is that the crew consider Telford "on the ship" when using the stones, so he's going to get whatever authority his presence would normally give him.

The question is whether he should be allowed to over-rule Young (either when Young's using the stones to communicate with Earth or when both Young and Telford are 'on the ship' at the same time).

 

[Soar_Dude]

With Young ranking officer on the ship so therefore he is the captain of the vessel. Any other officers of equal rank or higher that come on board cannot issue commands that make changes in the operation of the ship without the captains approval. The only thing Telford do is cause problems by switching with Young. It puts Scott in a bad position as first officer of when Telford tries to throw around his bird.

 

[The Wormhole]

Worth mentioning, Light pretty much confirmed there apparentally is bad blood between Young and Telford. When discussing an incident when Greer punched Telford, Young comments "the bastard had it coming." So that could go a long way in explaining Telford's attitude.

 

[sidious618]

If I was aboard the Destiny I know that I'd want Young in charge and not Telford. Telford seems like an asshole who will roll over anyone in his way.