Clear.right,
Read your contract about the 3 pathways to join CX.
And don't think the requirement of having no suitable SO to upgrade prior to hiring a DEFO will slow them down. We fought that one thru the courts and lost.
Cx have been hiring DEFO's for nearly 70 years. Can't see a reason for them stopping now. I'd guess only half of CX captains joined as SO's. The rest joined as DEFO's/Rapid commands over the top of SO's.
I believe now days SO's get a seniority number. Be grateful for that win at least.