I'd say it would depend on how the group of soldiers adhere to the military doctrine and ideals, even with the breakdown of overall command. So I'd think a Captain would remain a Captain and be in charge if the group followed what they were trained to follow. If the group went more "independent", then it could default to anything. Time in service for command, regardless of rank. Ability to effectively command, regardless of time in service or rank...whatever the group decided. It wouldn't necessarily be the "military way".
Let me give you a case in point (not exactly like an AF Captain in an army outfit, but similar). During the battle of Rourke's Drift, the British force at the crossing found themselves with two officers of the same rank. One was a combat officer, the other an engineer. They knew they were going to get hit and hit hard by the Zulus, but they followed what they were taught and trained to follow, and the engineer had more time in rank, so he ended up with overall command. So even though they knew they were going to be in the middle of a very tough combat situation, they went by who got their commision first and that's what they stuck with, even though it put an engineer in charge of combat troops in a combat situation.
So it would really depend on the people in the group and how they viewed sticking with what they know and were trained.
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