^ Yes, I was talking purely from political reason.
The comparison with Alchemist is good actually. Thank you for the reminder.
My main inspiration was mages form
Nanoha franchise
They climb the ladder like a bullet train surpass normal train. 19 years old Air Force Captain? Try 19 year old Army Colonel and 24 year old Navy Admiral.
However, it was purely for political reason, and normal, 40-something experienced Army Major, is shown to be COMMANDING said 19 years old colonel during an operation.
My fanon works like this, Laura might be a Major by technicality, but at best, her military service is like around 10-12 years and never experience actual war. She was treated along the line of a newbie officer when it comes to actual military job.