Limited Advancement Opportunities: Difference between revisions

** The extension of lifespan brought about by pro-long has meant that several flag-rank officers have been asked to go to reserve status to open up opportunities for juniors. Presumably in the face of a needed naval build-up they are to be called back.

** The books pay special attention to the trope of officers (especially Captains) ''refusing'' promotions that would take them from hands-on command to desk jobs. Simply put, if you tell the Navy you're not up to the next responsibility it offers you... It agrees '''completely'''. Enjoy civilian life.

** He ''was'' Chief Warlock of the Witangemot, which appears to be something like a cross between Speaker for Parliament and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, leaning toward the Chief Justice side. But when politics takes that away it doesn't seem to bother him much.

 

* The producers of ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine|Star Trek Deep Space Nine]]'' had the foresight to introduce Sisko as a Commander, just so he could have a dramatic promotion to Captain later on. Kira Nerys also had a promotion in-series, from Major to Colonel. In her case it was a promotion in the Bajoran militia, rather than Starfleet. Kira was also temporarily given the rank of Commander in Starfleet, when she was sent to Cardassia as part of a covert team and assist the Cardassian underground against the Dominion.

** Miles O'Brien is brilliant as an engineer, and a hero many times over—and yet we never see him offered a promotion to Master CPO, let alone officer, even when he takes a teaching position at the Academy. This is especially noticeable because he would hardly be promoted away from the setting, the rest of the main characters being officers; rather, his role as the designated NCO and "working man" had to be maintained. But still...no Master to tack onto that Chief? If nothing else, the characters' addressing of him would have become hilarious in later years once ''[[Halo]]'' was released. Senior Chief O'Brien is an especially weird case in that the TNG episode ''The Enemy'' established that he was once the tactical officer aboard the ''Starship Rutledge'', is frequently seen in Deep Space Nine's wardroom, and stated that he would have assumed command of the ''Defiant'' if Worf had been killed in ''Deep Space Nine: Rules of Engagement.''

** Nog wins for the most number of on-screen ranks with 6, from Cadet all the way to Captain in an episode detailing a possible future.

* In ''[[Star Trek: Voyager|Star Trek Voyager]]'', Janeway only became an Admiral after returning to Earth (even though it was most likely the safest way of observing her and stopping her from screwing with the timeline and threatening everything that ever existed. ''Again.'')

* ''[[Suits]]'' plays with this. In the pilot Harvey is promoted to Senior Partner which highlights his rapid rise through the firm's ranks. At the same time Louis is still stuck as Junior Partner which is a major source of frustration for him. Mike could rise rapidly in the company due to his talents but if he screws up he could be stuck as a Junior Associate forever.

* Justified on [[The X-Files]], especially with Mulder. Though he was advancing quickly up the VC's career ladder, once he became involved with the X-Files he was shut away in the basement just to get him out of everyone's hair. And since he runs that department, there isn't really anywhere up he can go. Not to mention he doesn't really give a damn whether he even keeps the job, let alone gets promoted. However, he does often lament that Scully's involvement with him on the X-Files essentially kills any opportunity she has for advancement, since it will be seen as a dark mark on her record. However, Scully never seems to express any desire to climb the ranks and eventually becomes just as invested in the X-Files as Mulder.

 

== Radio ==

* ''[[The Navy Lark]]'' both averts and plays this straight. Certain characters are introduced at the same rank they finished with ([[CMOT Dibbler|C.P.O. Pertwee]], [[The Ditz|Sub-Lieutenant Phillips]]), but others such as Commander, then Captain, then Commodore [[Pointy-Haired Boss|Povey]] and [[Suspiciously Similar Substitute|The 2nd]] [[Unfazed Everyman|Number One Cmdr Murray]] rise up the ranks as much as they would in the real navy.

 

== Video Games ==

* Adachi, of [[Persona 4]]. {{spoiler|This is the reason why he snapped.}} {{spoiler|Apparently he made a [[Noodle Incident|'mistake']] that got him sent to Inaba as an informal punishment. Also the characters call him out on the fact that he killed two people because he snapped over not getting promoted. If this was true, frustrated office workers would be killing everyone left and right.}}

 

* In ''[[Schlock Mercenary]]'', most characters have undergone several promotions, but Schlock was promoted rapidly to corporal and then sergeant early on, and then stopped there, because no one wants him to be an officer, especially Schlock himself. He has deliberately stayed a Sergeant even in periods where he technically owned the company and could dictate his own terms. Compare Breya, who made herself an Admiral in the same position. The closest he ever got to wanting to progress was being disappointed by the fact that only officers get "epaulet grenades".

** Subverted by Warrant Officer Thurl. Thurl is the oldest member of Tagon's Toughs, and the only reason paychecks go out and supplies come in when they're supposed to. He is very happy as an NCO, and has threatened to resign the minute anyone offers him a commission.

 

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[[Category:Drama Tropes]]