Actually NO
Cadets start as what they call Cat C level, and after a year they move to Cat B. Whereas DESO's start at Cat B level and after their first line check they move to Cat A. You have to be Cat A plus have your tech assesment done to be considered for upgrade to JFO. However with upgrades taking 3+ years both Cadets and DESO's hired at the same time if Cat A will be ready for upgrade at the same time, just that the DESO will be Cat A longer but that will have no bearing if they are both Cat A, passed the tech assesment and the the Cadet is one spot above the DESO in senority. The system would only benifet the DESO if upgrades were running around 2 years, as the cadet would take 3 years to upgrade. Thats the way it was back in the day, but not now.
Clear as mud??