Jimlad, perhaps 15 years ago PMA, HR if you like, asked for ideas.
Based on the difficulty manning some posts I proposed advertising posts and inviting suitably qualified applicants to apply. Rank was not necessarily a criterion. For instance a col could apply for a sgt post and appointed on merit. They could award acting paid if necessary.
The difference from the present system was you got a volunteer rather than "your promotio is conditional on your accepting a sh1t posting.
It was shot out of hand.
NIH and smacked of work.