Most people would be shitty admirals. A good commander has to be able to send people to their death without hesitation.
Could you do that to little Satsuki? I couldn't.
Like hell I can. Sending her off to her death means it's something so difficult (guaranty of death), needed someone highly experienced to do. So, do you lose a highly experienced soldier for a strategic victory? Hell no! I'll do everything i can so they can come back for another mission.