CLEANCRUISER,
Reading your initial post I would suggest you concentrate on EK.
Overall rate of application to employment offer at CX for DEFO is less than 1 in 200, EK is an order of magnitude better.
CX is not the place to go if you want anything to happen quick. For a command you will be at least 4 years behind current SO being upgraded to FO. It’s a seniority system, you would have to wait for a SO employed before you for their command before you got yours. If you fail a check on the way, it could be never.
If you have the hours for DEFO at CX you would have the hours for DE command at EK, push for DE command at EK.
Use EK to get you into a position which seems closer to what you want, like from EK back to SQ in a few years. They will no doubt use you on the way, may as well return the treatment.