That sounds promising, because like it or not, incentives drive culture. And if you can take care of all 4 LTs that deserve it, they're going to be more likely to work better together as a JOPA. No one's chasing that one brass ring, and conversely if no one deserves it, oh well.
that was what left a bad taste in my mouth before I got out.
there was a guy who was senior to me by 4 years. I was a brand new LT and he was going to be in zone the next year. Fitrep cycle comes around and they give him the EP and the Colonel signing tells me that the Navy element CO said that because this LT was closer to zone he deserved it, etc, etc. And it would be my turn next tour. Don’t take it too hard. I was getting out anyway so I didn’t even care.
problem was everyone knew the guy was a walking trainwreck including the colonel and the navy element CO.
long story short. Gets promoted to O4. Takes his new job. First thing he does is fail a certification and get fired.
literally everyone knew he was a problem and no one stopped it.