Point is this: the proper way for promotions to occur is if squad leaders think you are putting forth your best effort and deserve such a promotion. I pretty much blank check any promo request I receive up the food chain.
Instead of bitching at me and others as being unattentive, uncaring bastards, check your activity levels and see if you are contributing your writing, gaming, reporting, etc. to your squad as needed (and beyond). Just holding a roster spot for a long time doesn't mean we are obligated for rewarding you for filling in the blank space.
Sometimes I look at a trooper and ask their direct commander if they might need a promotion, but that is a lot more rare than it used to be. We have a system in place and it seems to work.
As for the veterans you speak of, a lot of folks got promoted up before we expanded the ranks and there frankly isn't anywhere to put them. Its now a lot harder to be a Sergeant Major and the ones you see now may have gotten there quickly according to the new rank levels but over time have definitely earned their ranks, pay, and privileges through good, solid activity.
If we had another couple dozen members, we could open up some more squads and fill in some of the command levels that are fairly redundant at this point. And I'd be more than glad to do it.
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PRF/HG Fury/VEA/TADATH/VE [SCP][PoC][SotE:HC][SotE:VEA][IOC]
Prefect - Stormtrooper Corps
Administrator - Imperial Center