The push at CX now is to use seniority like it should be used, which is contrary to having any DEFO's. There are plenty of SO's that began with a similar amount of time as you, and their upgrade has been held back by DEFO's. Not DEFO's fault, just the company policy is flawed. CX's past erroneous statement was that upgrading an SO requried more training resources (upgrade the SO plus hire a new SO). Training resources were/are scarce (why, who knows!). That is why CX hired so many DEFO's. Additionally, that is why they are about to be paying tons of $$ in Bypass pay. As a conclusion, the future hiring of DEFO's may be on hold.... but that is just RUMOR, using logical thinking.
NOTE: CX does not use logic in their thinking, so you probably will be ok.