[@vietmyke] I'll go ahead and take the leader role then. I was thinking that the dynamic of having my character subordinate to a man 12-years his junior could stimulate some interesting conflict, but it's a path far too well trodden, and as you kindly said, my character doesn't fit a military-bravo-esque mould so as to be particularly bothered by such an arrangement. If you need to direct the story, you could always have your character split off from the group, get lost, or become insubordinate, or simply PM as to what exactly I need to relay. 

Anyway, glad that's settled. Like I said, really excited, I hope this goes the distance and I look forward to seeing your plans unfold. :)