[john70t]

'Ron' will be gone and retired in a few years, but the people 'on his team' will remain, and remember.
You're going to be working with many of them.
Regardless, most will take the side of the defenseless old man on his last legs who's survived it all against some fresh new young buck.

Pecking orders/hazing are not always rational, but they are how some groups of men get to understand and trust each other.
It's a test.
In some situations, such as Military or Japanese business, it can be extreme, but the benefits of being part of the group are long lasting and will carry you through the hard times.

Try to patch things up fast and hard. Now.
It's your character that will take you on to the next levels, not your skills.


(edit: realized I just retyped everything MRM said above)