I’m sure that’s all correct. However unless I’m mistaken easy were recruiting NTR DEC’s until pretty late in the year. They also probably knew (or at least a fairly accurate best guess) the number of commands needed in 2019. Seems strange to think that someone who passed in March last year who is still swimming while recruitment continued for at least 6 more months, could potentially sink in the pool. I can’t see that occurring surely.
My understanding is that like the internal reserve list, there is also always a pool of suitably qualified and selected DECs available to fill any positions that cannot otherwise be filled. I would suspect this is more likely concur towards the end of the training year (June). The fact that someone has been waiting almost a year suggests that both there are enough internal FOs to cover these bases. If the applicant said they’d consider Portugal I’m prett sure that they’d get a phone call this afternoon...