I gotta say, I love what you wrote, Braddock. Especially about rank deference. Though I believe that that’s especially why we need one more Lt rank before LtCmdr.
The problem with ranks being attained in months is simply due to this being a game, and not real life. We can simulate that with our startdates, but it’s not really something that can (or should) be solved. The suspension of disbelief is something we must use in this area, in my honest opinion.
But the question is how many people play with us to RP with ranks in mind. I believe most simply wish to play the game, and don’t care much about ranks (it’d be great if I was wrong about that).