I woulnd't use the word 'short cutting', people were presented an opportunity and promised certain things and after a certain period time made a decision to either accept or decline.
The argument your putting forward by stating you learn more from going the traditional ga route rather than being a cadet is sometimes confusing to me. Are you saying that by being a 'cadet' and flying with seasoned captains with 1000's of hours is less valuable than going ga? I don't know .....