G'day Don. Could I have? Probably. Should I have? Not in my opinion. Then again perhaps my perception is coloured by the fact that the 767 at the time was still doing a lot of international ops where I was left on my own with S/Os.
However, if a S/O position exists (and I reckon there is a place in the world for the rank/ role) then it is a great way for the ex cadet to learn the operation without the additional risk of lack of experience in a control seat.
Important to note that the cadetship I did was a bit more robust than the ones they're doing these days too. Aerobatics, lots of SEIFR time, commercial navs in a twin and Citation time as well.