A naval-history aside rejects the idea that time served would naturally carry every Royal Navy captain into flag rank. Fleets required many more captains than admirals, so capable officers routinely ended their careers without promotion. Politically connected men who could not simply be removed might be made admirals of the yellow, receiving rank while being kept away from operational employment. The comparison clarifies the equally steep transition from Air Force colonel to general and why success in direct command is not enough by itself.
Notable Point · 57:15-59:12
Why promotion from captain to admiral was never automatic
The sharp numerical drop from captains to admirals explains stalled naval careers and the face-saving device of promotion as an admiral of the yellow.