Search/Recent Changes
DBTropes
...it's like TV Tropes, but LINKED DATA!

Declining Promotion

 Declining Promotion
type
FeatureClass
 Declining Promotion
label
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion
page
DecliningPromotion
 Declining Promotion
comment
In many militaries, sufficient degrees of badassery or competence can get someone promoted above where their background would usually allow. Sometimes they don't want to, preferring the relative freedom of lower rank combined with behind the scenes influence. The potential promotee will explain that command comes with too many headaches, too much responsibility, not enough action, or a dozen other reasons, but they all boil down to being happy where they are. They are often deliberately averting The Peter Principle, by refusing to be promoted out of their range of competence. This often leads to becoming an Almighty Janitor.
Another reason for this is simple pragmatism. Someone may decide they want to retire or separate from the military and therefore aren't interested in being promoted, because accepting the promotion also means incurring an additional service commitment of anywhere from three to five years where you are not allowed to separate or retire (except for medical reasons). Promotions get turned down fairly regularly for this reason by personnel who have made up their mind to leave.
A darker version of this has someone refuse a promotion only to discover that their superiors have now inferred, rightly or wrongly, that they don't (or didn't at the time) have the drive to advance and thus are no longer allowed to.
Contrast Up Through the Ranks (a veteran enlisted man gains a commission as an officer), Kicked Upstairs (someone is promoted to get them into a position of less power), and Rank Up (Super-Trope for plain old promotion). People in this trope may be well aware of the risk of becoming a Desk Jockey.
Compare Dismissing a Compliment, Deliberate Under-Performance, Gracefully Demoted, and Medal of Dishonor when they don't like the promotion because of shady reasons behind it, who may or may not take the new position anyway. Passed-Over Promotion deals with somebody else being promoted in their place.

Examples
 Declining Promotion
fetched
2024-04-19T07:00:47Z
 Declining Promotion
parsed
2024-04-19T07:00:47Z
 Declining Promotion
processingComment
Dropped link to AlmightyJanitor: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Declining Promotion
processingComment
Dropped link to ExpandedUniverse: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Declining Promotion
processingComment
Dropped link to FootnoteFever: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Declining Promotion
processingComment
Dropped link to Nepotism: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Declining Promotion
processingComment
Dropped link to NormalFishInATinyPond: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Declining Promotion
processingComment
Dropped link to PlayedForLaughs: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Declining Promotion
processingComment
Dropped link to SeasonFinale: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Declining Promotion
processingComment
Dropped link to SergeantRock: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Declining Promotion
processingComment
Dropped link to SuperMode: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Declining Promotion
processingComment
Dropped link to UpThroughTheRanks: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Declining Promotion
processingComment
Dropped link to WorthyOpponent: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Declining Promotion
isPartOf
DBTropes
 Declining Promotion / int_10bc0a19
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_10bc0a19
comment
Sam Vimes in Night Watch is masquerading as Sergeant At Arms John Keel when he's offered a promotion to officer and a transfer to the Cable Street Particulars. He refuses on the grounds that he's "not qualified", but in reality he both doesn't want to join the Particulars due to their being monsters and knows that with his experience he can become the Almighty Janitor almost instantly in his current place.
 Declining Promotion / int_10bc0a19
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_10bc0a19
featureConfidence
1.0
 Night Watch (Discworld)
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_10bc0a19
 Declining Promotion / int_12ce6b61
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_12ce6b61
comment
GreedFall: Should Vasco survive to the epilogue (and De Sardet chose to kill Constantin); he is promoted to Fleet Commander. However, if he is in a relationship with De Sardet, he will decline this promotion and remain a Captain.
 Declining Promotion / int_12ce6b61
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_12ce6b61
featureConfidence
1.0
 GreedFall (Video Game)
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_12ce6b61
 Declining Promotion / int_16c83de8
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_16c83de8
comment
During the ending in Star Fox 64, the team is offered to be part of General Pepper's Cornerian Army. Being space mercenaries, Fox declines, saying his team prefers to "do things their own way", with the rest of the team nodding in agreement.
 Declining Promotion / int_16c83de8
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_16c83de8
featureConfidence
1.0
 Star Fox 64 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_16c83de8
 Declining Promotion / int_17e4dacc
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_17e4dacc
comment
In Forward the Foundation, the Emperor of the Galactic Empire is assassinated by a gardener he took a liking to. The gardener was promoted to Head Gardener over his protests—as Head Gardener he'd have to manage people and do paperwork instead of gardening, which is what he enjoys.
 Declining Promotion / int_17e4dacc
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_17e4dacc
featureConfidence
1.0
 Forward the Foundation
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_17e4dacc
 Declining Promotion / int_1a4438ee
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_1a4438ee
comment
Sarge in All Guardsmen Party refuses Inquisitor Oak's offers to be made an interrogator, and always tells his men to "never trust anyone above the rank of sergeant". Subverted later when he reluctantly accepts. Doing so only to ensure that the squad no longer has to serve any other crazy inquisitors-in-training.
 Declining Promotion / int_1a4438ee
featureApplicability
-0.3
 Declining Promotion / int_1a4438ee
featureConfidence
1.0
 All Guardsmen Party (Fanfic)
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_1a4438ee
 Declining Promotion / int_1adee40d
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_1adee40d
comment
Koki Kariya of The World Ends with You is rather more powerful than his Reaper rank would suggest. He claims it's because he's too lazy for higher-ranked work, and he likes his job the way it is, but it's implied that his real reason is to stick with his partner Uzuki. It's also implied that Uzuki knows this, and that the reason she's so desperate to earn promotions is that she thinks she's holding him back.
 Declining Promotion / int_1adee40d
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_1adee40d
featureConfidence
1.0
 The World Ends with You (Video Game)
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_1adee40d
 Declining Promotion / int_1cc09117
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_1cc09117
comment
Bleach:
Though Ikkaku is able to use Bankai, and is therefore eligible to become a Captain after Aizen, Gin and Tousen's defection, he outright refuses to let it be known that he can use Bankai because if he was forced to become a Captain, he would no longer be able to serve under Kenpachi. When Renji suggests that he become a Captain, Ikkaku retorts that Renji also refuses to become Captain for the same reason (to serve under Byakuya, whom he considers equal parts his superior and his rival), and therefore should understand his own reasoning. Interestingly, it is strongly implied that several other characters already know Ikkaku's secret; they simply pretend not to in order to respect his wishes (or decide that it's none of their business either way).
Yumichika of the 11th Division holds the Fifth Seat, even though the Fourth Seat remains vacant. The reason Yumichika refuses to become the Fourth Seat is not due to superstition, but rather due to a mixture of his own loyalties and his sense of aesthetics: Yumichika finds the kanji for the number 3 (三) to be more aesthetically pleasing than that of the number 4 (四). However, because the Third Seat is already occupied by Ikkaku, Yumichika willingly stays in the Fifth Seat, since the kanji for 5 (五) is the closest to the number 3. After Yachiru disappears during the final arc and Ikkaku becomes the new Lieutenant of the 11th Division, Yumichika takes his place as the Third Seat.
Lieutenant Sasakibe of the 1st Division is revealed to possess the skill and power of a Captain, along with having attained Bankai a thousand years ago. He still elected to remain as Yamamoto's Lieutenant since he had aimed from the start to always serve as Yamamoto's right-hand man. While this earned him a small measure of mockery from his peers, who misinterpreted the situation as Sasakibe being too weak to be a Captain after so long, those who knew him longer and were aware of his history of service had nothing but respect for his seniority and conviction.
 Declining Promotion / int_1cc09117
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_1cc09117
featureConfidence
1.0
 Bleach (Manga)
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_1cc09117
 Declining Promotion / int_1e9e2d34
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_1e9e2d34
comment
The Desert Storm:
Near the beginning of Night, Ben is offered to be given a seat on the Jedi Council after his show of leadership during the Temple’s Bane outbreak. He declines the offer and instead nominates Master Fay to take his intended seat.
After Obi-Wan demonstrates the new lightsaber form he created as part of Ben's test for Knighthood to the Jedi Council, Mace is so impressed that he decides to nominate Obi-Wan to be given the rank of Jedi Master. Obi-Wan refuses since he had just been made a Jedi Knight. As of Minding the Gap, Obi-Wan has had to turn down a promotion to Jedi Master on a monthly basis.
 Declining Promotion / int_1e9e2d34
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_1e9e2d34
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Desert Storm (Fanfic)
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_1e9e2d34
 Declining Promotion / int_1f9f4419
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_1f9f4419
comment
In The Thing (1982), Norris is offered to take over command by the resigning former commander, but turns it down.
 Declining Promotion / int_1f9f4419
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_1f9f4419
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Thing (1982)
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_1f9f4419
 Declining Promotion / int_213274af
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_213274af
comment
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Relaunch: Starfleet Intelligence officer Elias Vaughn was another officer who declined promotion a number of times over his eight decades in SI in order to keep a low profile, but had a higher security clearance than some admirals.
 Declining Promotion / int_213274af
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_213274af
featureConfidence
1.0
 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Relaunch
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_213274af
 Declining Promotion / int_2219c941
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_2219c941
comment
In an episode of Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. Gomer's unit (all privates) are to take the Corporal's test. Gomer doesn't want to at first because "the Private is the backbone of the Marines" and he likes being the backbone.
 Declining Promotion / int_2219c941
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_2219c941
featureConfidence
1.0
 Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_2219c941
 Declining Promotion / int_22f708ef
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_22f708ef
comment
Quark. After saving the galaxy from the Gorgons, Quark is offered command of his own starship. However he insists that his crew be promoted with him, as they deserve equal credit. "If they don't go, I don't go." So the Head obliges...by not promoting Quark after all.
 Declining Promotion / int_22f708ef
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_22f708ef
featureConfidence
1.0
 Quark
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_22f708ef
 Declining Promotion / int_23633967
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_23633967
comment
Top Gun: Maverick: It's stated that with his decades of exemplary service, Maverick could have been an admiral or retired to become state senator, but he insists on remaining captain so that he can keep flying planes.
 Declining Promotion / int_23633967
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_23633967
featureConfidence
1.0
 Top Gun: Maverick
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_23633967
 Declining Promotion / int_247422c7
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_247422c7
comment
Honor Harrington:
Refusing promotion in most navies is career suicide — you not only won't get another promotion offer, but you'll be beached as quickly as possible and never hold another position of responsibility again. Lester Tourville instead avoids promotion by being known for such eccentricity that they can't push him beyond rear admiral, because he doesn't want to have to deal with the political shit that being a vice admiral would get him - until he captures Honor Harrington, who's racked up enough of a legend by then that they pretty much have to promote him.
A notable exception is the Osterman Cross, a very high decoration only awarded to enlisted and NCOs for gallantry in combat. It's always accompanied by the offer of a commission, which is usually turned down. The navy gracefully accepts that, as they'd have to be crazy to dispense with the services of such a person just because they don't want to be an officer.
Michelle Henke doesn't explicitly refuse promotion, but there's an understanding that she's to be promoted strictly by seniority, because she's the Queen's cousin and doesn't want to feel like she got her rank by nepotism. Her personnel jacket says that she's "of superior ability but not prepared to accept accelerated promotion," even in wartime. Finally, Honor (who was her classmate but has leapfrogged up the ranks) tells her to cut the crap and accept the promotion Honor's giving her, because the navy needs its best people in the top ranks.
 Declining Promotion / int_247422c7
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_247422c7
featureConfidence
1.0
 Honor Harrington
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_247422c7
 Declining Promotion / int_2ea6ae26
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_2ea6ae26
comment
Averted in Star Trek: Picard. In the Backstory, Picard apparently finally accepted an admiral's flag when he found a "difference" that he couldn't make as merely the captain of the Enterprise: overseeing the Homeworld Evacuation of the Romulan Star Empire. The project's cancellation after the synth attack on Mars utterly broke him.
 Declining Promotion / int_2ea6ae26
featureApplicability
-1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_2ea6ae26
featureConfidence
1.0
 Star Trek: Picard
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_2ea6ae26
 Declining Promotion / int_2ef7cb74
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_2ef7cb74
comment
The title character of Lyrical Nanoha repeatedly refuses promotions, so she is still a Captain in Magical Record Lyrical Nanoha Force, even though her friend and equal Hayate already commands an entire unit (in Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS, Hayate was an army Lt.Col. but the Navy doesn't seem to use the same ranks). Nanoha does it mainly to stay on active Combat Instructor duty.
 Declining Promotion / int_2ef7cb74
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_2ef7cb74
featureConfidence
1.0
 Lyrical Nanoha (Franchise)
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_2ef7cb74
 Declining Promotion / int_36ee2abe
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_36ee2abe
comment
Paranoia book High Programmers (for running them as PCs) drops a rumor about a conspiracy of Violets feeding the Ultraviolets misinformation, allowing the Violets to actually run the show while maintaining a (slightly) lower profile.
 Declining Promotion / int_36ee2abe
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_36ee2abe
featureConfidence
1.0
 Paranoia (Tabletop Game)
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_36ee2abe
 Declining Promotion / int_3b34143f
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_3b34143f
comment
Harry Potter:
Horace Slughorn is described as "preferring the backseat" in Half-Blood Prince. However, it's not so much exerting power as it is enjoying being able to influence the world thanks to former students he gave a boost to (casting a vote for a new junior minister or getting free tickets to a Quidditch match). Harry has a mental image of a spider pulling a webstrand to bring a juicy fly closer.
It was stated more than a few times Mr. Weasley could have easily been promoted within the Ministry of Magic years ago, but enjoyed where he was in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office too much. (It's also implied that he and Minister Fudge had radically differing viewpoints regarding Muggles and blood purity, which may have also contributed to his lack of promotion.) He does finally take a promotion AND get rank in the Order of Phoenix as the series goes on, however.
Albus Dumbledore was repeatedly offered the chance to become Minister for Magic. He declined every time in order to remain at Hogwarts. It turned out that he was afraid of his weakness for power. Minister Cornelius Fudge still badgered Dumbledore for advice in his first years in office, though.
 Declining Promotion / int_3b34143f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_3b34143f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Harry Potter
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_3b34143f
 Declining Promotion / int_41cc1c3a
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_41cc1c3a
comment
Edward Buck's bio in the Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition states that as an Orbital Drop Shock Trooper, he turned down or deliberately sabotaged multiple promotions in order to remain a small-unit commander. By Guardians though, he's been made a Spartan-IV, and has occasionally been given command roles, such as Spartan Commander of the UNSC Meriwether Lewis and joint-forces liaison for Locke's Fireteam Osiris.
 Declining Promotion / int_41cc1c3a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_41cc1c3a
featureConfidence
1.0
 Halo 3: ODST (Video Game)
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_41cc1c3a
 Declining Promotion / int_468bebb0
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_468bebb0
comment
Discworld:
Sam Vimes in Night Watch is masquerading as Sergeant At Arms John Keel when he's offered a promotion to officer and a transfer to the Cable Street Particulars. He refuses on the grounds that he's "not qualified", but in reality he both doesn't want to join the Particulars due to their being monsters and knows that with his experience he can become the Almighty Janitor almost instantly in his current place.
Sergeant Jackrum of Monstrous Regiment has repeatedly refused promotions to remain a sergeant, so as to make sure the new recruits are made proper soldiers instead of Ensign Newbie (and keeps blackmailing the top brass to stay there). Although by the time of the book it's not promotion but retirement that's the danger.
 Declining Promotion / int_468bebb0
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_468bebb0
featureConfidence
1.0
 Discworld
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_468bebb0
 Declining Promotion / int_4fd9904a
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_4fd9904a
comment
It was stated more than a few times Mr. Weasley could have easily been promoted within the Ministry of Magic years ago, but enjoyed where he was in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office too much. (It's also implied that he and Minister Fudge had radically differing viewpoints regarding Muggles and blood purity, which may have also contributed to his lack of promotion.) He does finally take a promotion AND get rank in the Order of Phoenix as the series goes on, however.
 Declining Promotion / int_4fd9904a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_4fd9904a
featureConfidence
1.0
 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_4fd9904a
 Declining Promotion / int_526815a8
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_526815a8
comment
The US Marine Corps offered Terminal Lance creator Max Uriarte, who retired as a lance corporal (hence the webcomic's name, from a Marine slang term for a Marine who's going to be stuck as an E-3 until he musters out), a promotion to full corporal if he'd reenlist. He said no. The Marine Corps promoted him anyway after he'd left so they wouldn't have to pay him a compensatory bonus for not getting promoted.
 Declining Promotion / int_526815a8
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_526815a8
featureConfidence
1.0
 Terminal Lance (Webcomic)
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_526815a8
 Declining Promotion / int_526d4c5c
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_526d4c5c
comment
Knights of the Old Republic: Like Ahsoka Tano 4,000 years later, Cool Old Guy Jolee Bindo was a Jedi Padawan who became disillusioned with the Order and left despite being offered a promotion to Knight. However their circumstances were opposites; while Ahsoka was upset over being unjustly punished by the Council, Jolee was frustrated that he hadn't been punished at all for going against the Council's wishes and accidentally raising his wife into a Sith. The Jedi Council felt that he had learned his lesson the hard way and forgave him, but Jolee couldn't forgive himself and felt that he was being rewarded for his mistakes.
 Declining Promotion / int_526d4c5c
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_526d4c5c
featureConfidence
1.0
 Knights of the Old Republic (Video Game)
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_526d4c5c
 Declining Promotion / int_53a73ca0
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_53a73ca0
comment
Late in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Ahsoka is offered a promotion to Jedi Knight but turns it down and leaves the Order entirely, as she became disillusioned by the Council turning their backs on her after she was framed for terrorism. This, in turn, contributed to Anakin being passed over for his promotion, as successfully raising a Padawan to Knight is a prerequisite for becoming a Master which on paper he had failed to do.
 Declining Promotion / int_53a73ca0
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_53a73ca0
featureConfidence
1.0
 Star Wars: The Clone Wars
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_53a73ca0
 Declining Promotion / int_544fb5a2
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_544fb5a2
comment
In the In Death stories, Lt. Dallas has, in the in-story span of 2 -1/2 years, solved so many spectacular cases that she's now a public celebrity. She was offered a captaincy but declined on the grounds that while she could be a good captain, she's more useful in the field.
 Declining Promotion / int_544fb5a2
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_544fb5a2
featureConfidence
1.0
 In Death
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_544fb5a2
 Declining Promotion / int_611c72dc
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_611c72dc
comment
The novel verse work Star Trek: Titan — The Red King describes the underside of this trope that isn't addressed much, stating that if William Riker hadn't finally left Enterprise to accept a promotion to captain and a command of his own (the eponymous USS Titan), he would not have gotten another offer. In other words, by continually refusing to be promoted during Star Trek: The Next Generation he was actually screwing up his career.
 Declining Promotion / int_611c72dc
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_611c72dc
featureConfidence
1.0
 Star Trek Novel Verse
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_611c72dc
 Declining Promotion / int_62aa95a6
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_62aa95a6
comment
In The Lost Fleet, upon finally returning the fleet to Alliance space, Geary is offered a promotion from Captain all the way to Fleet Admiral, a rank no one has ever held in the history of the Alliance (probably because a good number of admirals dream of overthrowing the civilian leadership). Geary is reluctant, especially since it's highly unorthodox to jump so many ranks. He does, eventually accept, but only on the condition that he be demoted back to Captain after the mission is over. This serves two purposes: it keeps him in command rather than pushing paperwork somewhere in Fleet HQ and it keeps him the same rank as his Love Interest, so they can get married. He does get promoted to Admiral shortly after the demotion, though, but they already get married by that point.
 Declining Promotion / int_62aa95a6
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_62aa95a6
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Lost Fleet
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_62aa95a6
 Declining Promotion / int_6a4c8f1b
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_6a4c8f1b
comment
The top ranked heroes in each of One-Punch Man's lower hero classes all frequently decline promotion to the next rank. Each has their own reasons:
Sweet Mask has the skill and powers of an S-Class hero, but chooses to stay in the A-Class as a gatekeeper to make sure that heroes who are "weak, good-for-nothing 'garbage'" do not enter the S-Class and make the Hero Association look bad.
Fubuki has skills and power well above her rank as well, but declines promotion since she can't surpass Sweet Mask (or at least she thinks she can't; her older sister (S-Class Rank 2 hero Tatsumaki) believes that Fubuki ought to be strong enough to be S-Class and is confused at what's holding back Fubuki from achieving her full potential), and she'd rather be number one in B-Class than get stuck as second best.
The Licenceless Rider has done enough heroic things to promote him to B-Class, but refuses to do so because he feels he's not fit for that class and would rather continue helping in class C. It also helps that he's not suited to combat supervillains and thus wouldn't do well in a rank where he has to do more than charity work.
 Declining Promotion / int_6a4c8f1b
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_6a4c8f1b
featureConfidence
1.0
 One-Punch Man (Webcomic)
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_6a4c8f1b
 Declining Promotion / int_6a8aff51
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_6a8aff51
comment
The Stormlight Archive: At the end of Oathbringer, Adolin Kholin refuses the crown of Alethkar when it would pass to him — he doesn't want to be king, knows he'd be bad at it, and feels that he disqualified himself by murdering Highprince Sadeas. It doubles as defying Heir Club for Men, since his cousin Jasnah, the late king's sister, is crowned instead — fortunately for everyone.
 Declining Promotion / int_6a8aff51
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_6a8aff51
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Stormlight Archive
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_6a8aff51
 Declining Promotion / int_6f1dfbf0
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_6f1dfbf0
comment
In the Myth Adventures novel M.Y.T.H. Inc in Action, Guido is bewildered that his attempts at sabotaging the army have seen him go from raw recruit to sergeant in a matter of weeks. When the top brass suggest making him an officer, he's had enough, and quits. The next chapter opens with him saying that they tried to talk him out of it, but this mostly involved offering him even more promotions.
 Declining Promotion / int_6f1dfbf0
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_6f1dfbf0
featureConfidence
1.0
 Myth Adventures
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_6f1dfbf0
 Declining Promotion / int_7460586f
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_7460586f
comment
Archer: In Archer's Adventures in Comaland dream, Archer (now a private detective in 1947 Los Angeles and a decorated World War II veteran) is stated to have been offered a commission to 2nd Lieutenant during the war, but turned it down and was discharged at war's end a private.
 Declining Promotion / int_7460586f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_7460586f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Archer
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_7460586f
 Declining Promotion / int_75149ccd
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_75149ccd
comment
Commander Wedge Antilles spends more than half the X-Wing Series trying to keep Admiral Ackbar from promoting him to general and out of the pilot's chair. The two of them even make a bet in the Wraith Squadron sub-series on whether the squadron will fail, and if Wedge loses he has to take the promotion. In The Thrawn Trilogy Antilles briefly regrets having passed up offers of promotion as a Captain running a short staffed frigate takes his frustrations out on him, feeling that if he had a higher rank he could snap back at the Captain. He finally accepts in Isard's Revenge upon finding out that his pilots have also been refusing deserved promotions, following his example, so that some of the greatest pilots in the Republic are ranked (and paid) as mere flight officers, the lowest rank an active pilot can have.
 Declining Promotion / int_75149ccd
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_75149ccd
featureConfidence
1.0
 X-Wing Series
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_75149ccd
 Declining Promotion / int_755b343f
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_755b343f
comment
Halo:
Edward Buck's bio in the Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition states that as an Orbital Drop Shock Trooper, he turned down or deliberately sabotaged multiple promotions in order to remain a small-unit commander. By Guardians though, he's been made a Spartan-IV, and has occasionally been given command roles, such as Spartan Commander of the UNSC Meriwether Lewis and joint-forces liaison for Locke's Fireteam Osiris.
It's noted in the Expanded Universe novels that Master Chief Petty Officer John-117 has also repeatedly been offered promotion, but he declined it, because "The Admiral" doesn't have the same ring to it as "The Chief."
 Declining Promotion / int_755b343f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_755b343f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Halo (Franchise)
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_755b343f
 Declining Promotion / int_81692f99
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_81692f99
comment
Star Trek:
The novel verse work Star Trek: Titan — The Red King describes the underside of this trope that isn't addressed much, stating that if William Riker hadn't finally left Enterprise to accept a promotion to captain and a command of his own (the eponymous USS Titan), he would not have gotten another offer. In other words, by continually refusing to be promoted during Star Trek: The Next Generation he was actually screwing up his career.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Relaunch: Starfleet Intelligence officer Elias Vaughn was another officer who declined promotion a number of times over his eight decades in SI in order to keep a low profile, but had a higher security clearance than some admirals.
 Declining Promotion / int_81692f99
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_81692f99
featureConfidence
1.0
 Star Trek (Franchise)
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_81692f99
 Declining Promotion / int_81a8c830
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_81a8c830
comment
According to The Gates of Hell, when Belial was an angel, he has been offered multiple promotions from his position as a healer of mortals and declined them all. It was believed to be due to him loving being around mortals and helping them. In reality, of course, he knew that should he be promoted, he'll have to spend his time around beings too powerful to hide his true nature from.
 Declining Promotion / int_81a8c830
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_81a8c830
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Gates of Hell (Tabletop Game)
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_81a8c830
 Declining Promotion / int_86dd1433
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_86dd1433
comment
In Knights of the Old Republic, Jedi Padawan Zayne Carrick is framed for murder by a group of extremist Jedi believing him to be on the path to becoming a Sith Lord. After defending The Order from The Coup in the process of his Clear My Name quest, he's offered a promotion to Knight but declines in favor of becoming a Knight Errant helping people beneath the Council's notice.
 Declining Promotion / int_86dd1433
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_86dd1433
featureConfidence
1.0
 Knights of the Old Republic / Comicbook
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_86dd1433
 Declining Promotion / int_8846e292
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_8846e292
comment
Sullivan in Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun is repeatedly suggested that he become the new Demon King by several demons, including two others that are viewed as potential leaders. He keeps turning it down.
 Declining Promotion / int_8846e292
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_8846e292
featureConfidence
1.0
 Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun (Manga)
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_8846e292
 Declining Promotion / int_8bd22b6a
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_8bd22b6a
comment
Warrant Officer Thurl from Schlock Mercenary says that the moment he's offered a commission he'll resign.
 Declining Promotion / int_8bd22b6a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_8bd22b6a
featureConfidence
1.0
 Schlock Mercenary (Webcomic)
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_8bd22b6a
 Declining Promotion / int_8fc868f5
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_8fc868f5
comment
The Brittas Empire: When Brittas is heading off to Brussels, he offers Laura (his deputy manager) his job as Manager of the Leisure Centre. However, Laura declines since she’s pregnant and hoping to move to America with her husband to raise the baby.
 Declining Promotion / int_8fc868f5
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_8fc868f5
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Brittas Empire
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_8fc868f5
 Declining Promotion / int_8fd3db0b
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_8fd3db0b
comment
Star Trek: Lower Decks:
Deconstructed and exaggerated in the case of Beckett Mariner. Mariner sabotages her attempts to move up on the ranks, keeping her as a lowly ensign. However, it's suggested she does so because every time she had been promoted, she believes that they want to bust her back down, so she gives it to them. After being promoted in Season 4, she tries to get Ransom to bust her back down, but he refuses to take the bait and convinces her to keep going. The penultimate episode of Season 4 reveals this not to be the case - her best friend in Starfleet Academy was Sito Jaxa, who was part of the infamous Nova Squadron but recovered and was stationed on the Enterprise-D and died on a spy mission. That and PTSD from serving in the Dominion War shortly afterwards terrified her and she decided to stay an ensign so she'd never have to make the call to send someone to their death.
Played for Laughs with Sam Rutherford. It turns out he's such a good engineer, he could have been promoted constantly, but he refuses because he wants to hang out with Tendi and the rest of the Beta Shifters. In fact, he could have been promoted sooner had he just asked.
 Declining Promotion / int_8fd3db0b
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_8fd3db0b
featureConfidence
1.0
 Star Trek: Lower Decks
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_8fd3db0b
 Declining Promotion / int_90f42a9b
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_90f42a9b
comment
The Wheel of Time: Cadsuane Melaidhrin is a Living Legend among the Aes Sedai for her personal heroics. Emphasis on personal, as she religiously avoided any leadership position — she refused two offers to become a Sitter and one to become an Ajah Head, and disappeared for ten years rather than become leader of the Aes Sedai. She's forced to become the new leader at the end of the series and treats it like a Fate Worse than Death.
 Declining Promotion / int_90f42a9b
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_90f42a9b
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Wheel of Time
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_90f42a9b
 Declining Promotion / int_93957860
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_93957860
comment
The Somewhat Cracked Mind Of Uchiha Itachi: Gaara mentions in a letter to Naruto after his return to Suna that everyone wanted Elder Chiyo to succeed his father Rasa as Kazekage after the latter was removed from power. According to Baki, however, when they went to tell her she told them "screw you" which they had to take as a decline. This isn't really surprising, considering that earlier in the fic it was established that Chiyo hated politics; according to Kankuro, her appearances at council meetings mainly consisted of her telling the Sand Siblings' dad to "piss off".
 Declining Promotion / int_93957860
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_93957860
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Somewhat Cracked Mind of Uchiha Itachi / Fan Fic
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_93957860
 Declining Promotion / int_9bb5aad4
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_9bb5aad4
comment
Yu-Gi-Oh! GX:
After Judai's first conclusive win over Manjyome during an important exam in Season 1, he is granted a promotion to Ra Yellow status. However, he turns the promotion down, preferring to remain in the Osiris dorm where Sho and Hayato are. (Sho does not forget this; while he's later accepted into Ra and even into Obelisk later, and doesn't turn the actual promotions down, he still chooses to live in the Osiris dorm to support his friend.)
In the same season, Misawa refuses a promotion from Ra Yellow to Obelisk Blue because he feels that he'd only be worthy of the position once he had proved himself the best duelist in the school by defeating Judai.
 Declining Promotion / int_9bb5aad4
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_9bb5aad4
featureConfidence
1.0
 Yu-Gi-Oh! GX
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_9bb5aad4
 Declining Promotion / int_9e2f90f4
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_9e2f90f4
comment
One Piece:
Marine Vice Admiral Garp has been offered the promotion to the rank of Admiral multiple times, and rejected all of them, claiming that the rank would only keep him from having the freedom he already has. His main reason is that the admirals are under the direct authority of the Celestial Dragons, whom Garp is morally opposed to. It's implied that anyone else would've been "gotten rid of" for this insubordination. But Garp is both too strong to easily eliminate and too widely revered as the Hero of the Marines to do so without the risk of igniting a civil war.
Despite being strong enough to be one, Blackbeard declined to become one of Whitebeard's commanders, saying he didn't have the ambition to be one. His motives were to remain hidden under the name Whitebeard until he grew strong enough to shock the entire world in a single moment.
 Declining Promotion / int_9e2f90f4
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_9e2f90f4
featureConfidence
1.0
 One Piece (Manga)
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_9e2f90f4
 Declining Promotion / int_b1058237
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_b1058237
comment
In the Temeraire series, Granby, Laurence's first lieutenant, is offered a captaincy of his own, but he declines out of loyalty to Laurence. Though not as sternly seen as in the real life Royal Navy at the time, the Aerial Corps have a similar view of those who decline promotions, and Laurence is actually somewhat abashed that Granby did so for him, noting he's unlikely to get another shot anytime soon. The Aerial Corps has slightly different rules, however, and within a year Granby is a captain because he's the highest-ranked unattached officer available at a dragon hatching.)
 Declining Promotion / int_b1058237
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_b1058237
featureConfidence
1.0
 Temeraire
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_b1058237
 Declining Promotion / int_b8e5dfd9
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_b8e5dfd9
comment
In Disco Elysium, the local police force of the city of Revachol, the Revachol Citizen's Militia, has a special honorary rank for officers who has declined a promotion, namely "Yefreitor". While Yefreitor is by all appearances mostly just a ceremonial title, it also gives officers who holds it a slight edge when it comes to pulling rank, as it signals that the holder has greater seniority. Part of the reveal about who the Player Character was before he lost his memory, is finding out that he is actually is a Double-Yefreitor, that is, he has declined a promotion twice during his career.
 Declining Promotion / int_b8e5dfd9
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_b8e5dfd9
featureConfidence
1.0
 Disco Elysium (Video Game)
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_b8e5dfd9
 Declining Promotion / int_bee47cbe
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_bee47cbe
comment
Unsounded: In Duane's backstory, he planned to refuse a hugely prestigious government appointment as Spell Composer because he thought he had been chosen as a political ploy. His wife countered that he deserved it on his own merits, he'd be Breaking the Glass Ceiling for their caste, and they could really use the money.
 Declining Promotion / int_bee47cbe
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_bee47cbe
featureConfidence
1.0
 Unsounded (Webcomic)
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_bee47cbe
 Declining Promotion / int_c211d8bf
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_c211d8bf
comment
In Star Trek Beyond Kirk eventually takes his own advice. Early in the movie he's stated to have applied for promotion to admiral to take a position at Yorktown Starbase, having grown weary of endless exploration. In the denouement, Kirk is offered the promotion, but by then he’s rediscovered his passion for command and turns it down: "Where's the fun in that?"
 Declining Promotion / int_c211d8bf
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_c211d8bf
featureConfidence
1.0
 Star Trek Beyond
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_c211d8bf
 Declining Promotion / int_c2297a9c
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_c2297a9c
comment
Judge Dredd is offered the position of Chief Judge after "The Day The Law Died", but he refuses, recommending Academy Of Law principal Judge Griffin instead. Over the years, it's noted that Dredd doesn't want the job because of the sheer amount of paperwork it involves and that it'll take him off the streets.
 Declining Promotion / int_c2297a9c
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_c2297a9c
featureConfidence
1.0
 Judge Dredd (Comic Book)
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_c2297a9c
 Declining Promotion / int_d0c31ab
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_d0c31ab
comment
In Star Trek: Generations James T. Kirk tells Jean-Luc Picard "Don't let them promote you", since that would mean that he would leave the Enterprise.
 Declining Promotion / int_d0c31ab
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_d0c31ab
featureConfidence
1.0
 Star Trek: Generations
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_d0c31ab
 Declining Promotion / int_d1ae6f89
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_d1ae6f89
comment
In The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero, A-Rank Bracer Arios MacLaine has been repeatedly offered a promotion to S-Rank, a position held only by a scant few individuals such as Liberl's own Divine Blade, Cassius Bright. He declines every time, claiming he's not worthy, likely because of guilt he feels over his role in The Conspiracy that's about to take hold of the country, as well as indirectly causing his best friend's death.
 Declining Promotion / int_d1ae6f89
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_d1ae6f89
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero (Video Game)
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_d1ae6f89
 Declining Promotion / int_dd246c83
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_dd246c83
comment
Madam Secretary: The season 1 finale "There But for the Grace of God" reveals in a flashback that Liz McCord chose to retire from the CIA rather than accept a promotion to Baghdad station chief, because it would've meant leaving her husband and three kids for at least a year. Her friend Juliet got the job instead, implied to be her Start of Darkness.
 Declining Promotion / int_dd246c83
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_dd246c83
featureConfidence
1.0
 Madam Secretary
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_dd246c83
 Declining Promotion / int_e553770b
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_e553770b
comment
The Pieces Lie Where They Fell: In Chapter 11 of the sequel Picking Up the Pieces, Lieutenant Mist Flight is mentioned as having been offered a Captain's position before, but always declining because he liked where he was. He winds up becoming Acting Captain General as a result of Internal Affairs' actions against Gentle Step, who decides to use a sick day and leave Mist in charge.
 Declining Promotion / int_e553770b
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_e553770b
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Pieces Lie Where They Fell / Fan Fic
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_e553770b
 Declining Promotion / int_e6267766
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_e6267766
comment
Star Wars Legends:
Commander Wedge Antilles spends more than half the X-Wing Series trying to keep Admiral Ackbar from promoting him to general and out of the pilot's chair. The two of them even make a bet in the Wraith Squadron sub-series on whether the squadron will fail, and if Wedge loses he has to take the promotion. In The Thrawn Trilogy Antilles briefly regrets having passed up offers of promotion as a Captain running a short staffed frigate takes his frustrations out on him, feeling that if he had a higher rank he could snap back at the Captain. He finally accepts in Isard's Revenge upon finding out that his pilots have also been refusing deserved promotions, following his example, so that some of the greatest pilots in the Republic are ranked (and paid) as mere flight officers, the lowest rank an active pilot can have.
Luke Skywalker in Alan Dean Foster's Splinter of the Mind's Eye.
The rest of the Legends continuity is at odds with that early portrayal, of course. Luke's desire for adventure in the original trilogy includes a desire for advancement; Shadows of the Empire even notes that if Obi-Wan could be a General and a Jedi (before the prequels would clarify how that came to be), why couldn't he? (Later, he resigns after his first battle as a general due to The Chains of Commanding).
 Declining Promotion / int_e6267766
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_e6267766
featureConfidence
1.0
 Star Wars Legends (Franchise)
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_e6267766
 Declining Promotion / int_e6318baf
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_e6318baf
comment
Midsomer Murders: Barnaby starts the episode "Happy Families" in a foul mood and he explains at the end it's because he's been offered a cushy promotion, but one where he'll be stuck behind a desk for the rest of his career. To his relief, Sarah tells him to let someone else have the job and stick with doing what he enjoys: solving murders.
 Declining Promotion / int_e6318baf
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_e6318baf
featureConfidence
1.0
 Midsomer Murders
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_e6318baf
 Declining Promotion / int_e694aadb
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_e694aadb
comment
Ciaphas Cain:
Downplayed in Cain's case. It's mentioned in a footnote in "The Greater Good" that he would more than qualify as a "Lord Commissar" (which is technically a title connoting respect, since the Commissariat is made up of equals and hierarchy is based more on seniority) but refuses to be called such. Downplayed because he still gets the respect and influence either way; he just does it as part of his Humble Hero persona.
Magos Kildare has far fewer augmentations than her rank would give her access to, which is odd as the Adeptus Mechanicus believe in replacing as much of themselves with machinery as possible. It's because she was implanted by genestealers years earlier, which an augmetic upgrade or other surgical procedure would reveal.
One of Cain's perennial discipline problems says he's uncomfortable with his new rank (obtained after helping Cain defend a police station from genestealer attack). Cain reassures him that he'll probably lose them soon enough, which cheers him up.
 Declining Promotion / int_e694aadb
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_e694aadb
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ciaphas Cain
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_e694aadb
 Declining Promotion / int_e71c679
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_e71c679
comment
Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger has an episode focused on Houji being given an assignment to solve a case and gain a promotion to the Tokkyou division of the Space Police. In the end he declines it out of guilt for having to kill the younger brother of his fiancée, who was the criminal responsible for the crime in question.
 Declining Promotion / int_e71c679
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_e71c679
featureConfidence
1.0
 Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_e71c679
 Declining Promotion / int_ef894e37
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_ef894e37
comment
The first episode of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend has Rebecca not only turn down a promotion at the firm she works for in New York, but quit it altogether to move to California.
 Declining Promotion / int_ef894e37
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_ef894e37
featureConfidence
1.0
 Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_ef894e37
 Declining Promotion / int_f326e803
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_f326e803
comment
In Lords of the Underworld, the least powerful angels are joybringers- those employed to whisper "beautiful affirmations in human ears." When Olivia is promoted into the warrior caste, which involves battling monstrous demons, she is understandably dismayed.
 Declining Promotion / int_f326e803
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_f326e803
featureConfidence
1.0
 LordsOfTheUnderworld
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_f326e803
 Declining Promotion / int_f3ef0f86
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_f3ef0f86
comment
In Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception, Holly tries to refuse her upcoming promotion because it would make work more boring. Commander Root talks her out of it, explaining that she'll do more good at a desk job.
 Declining Promotion / int_f3ef0f86
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_f3ef0f86
featureConfidence
1.0
 Artemis Fowl
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_f3ef0f86
 Declining Promotion / int_f91de837
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_f91de837
comment
Horace Slughorn is described as "preferring the backseat" in Half-Blood Prince. However, it's not so much exerting power as it is enjoying being able to influence the world thanks to former students he gave a boost to (casting a vote for a new junior minister or getting free tickets to a Quidditch match). Harry has a mental image of a spider pulling a webstrand to bring a juicy fly closer.
 Declining Promotion / int_f91de837
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_f91de837
featureConfidence
1.0
 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_f91de837
 Declining Promotion / int_fa46743e
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_fa46743e
comment
William Riker, aka "Number One". He's offered his own command in the series, three separate times, it is eventually revealed, but doesn't accept it because he feels his place is serving at Captain Picard's side (and, as he also points out, serving as second in command of the Federation's flagship is more prestigious than commanding any other ship in the fleet). It is pointed out that by staying where he is, he is denying other officers the chance to serve in that position, and that it could reflect poorly on him in the long run. He finally averts it in Star Trek: Nemesis by accepting command of the USS Titan.
 Declining Promotion / int_fa46743e
featureApplicability
1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_fa46743e
featureConfidence
1.0
 Star Trek: Nemesis
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_fa46743e
 Declining Promotion / int_ff9ab17f
type
Declining Promotion
 Declining Promotion / int_ff9ab17f
comment
Star Trek: The Next Generation:
William Riker, aka "Number One". He's offered his own command in the series, three separate times, it is eventually revealed, but doesn't accept it because he feels his place is serving at Captain Picard's side (and, as he also points out, serving as second in command of the Federation's flagship is more prestigious than commanding any other ship in the fleet). It is pointed out that by staying where he is, he is denying other officers the chance to serve in that position, and that it could reflect poorly on him in the long run. He finally averts it in Star Trek: Nemesis by accepting command of the USS Titan.
In the Season 1 episode "Coming of Age", Picard is offered a promotion to admiral and the position of commandant of Starfleet Academy. He chooses to remain where he is.
Averted in Star Trek: Picard. In the Backstory, Picard apparently finally accepted an admiral's flag when he found a "difference" that he couldn't make as merely the captain of the Enterprise: overseeing the Homeworld Evacuation of the Romulan Star Empire. The project's cancellation after the synth attack on Mars utterly broke him.
 Declining Promotion / int_ff9ab17f
featureApplicability
-1.0
 Declining Promotion / int_ff9ab17f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Star Trek: The Next Generation
hasFeature
Declining Promotion / int_ff9ab17f

The following is a list of statements referring to the current page from other pages.

 Declining Promotion
processingCategory2
Rejection Index
 Declining Promotion
processingCategory2
These Tropes Have Been Promoted
 Starman (DC Comics) (Comic Book) / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 Kallen Stadtfeld, Countess of Britannia (Fanfic) / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 The Changeling of the Guard / Fan Fic / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 The Pieces Lie Where They Fell / Fan Fic / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 Eroninja (Fanfic) / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 The Desert Storm (Fanfic) / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 The Price of Flight (Fanfic) / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 First Kid / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 Free Guy / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 Paths of Glory / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 Star Trek Beyond / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 The Thing (1982) / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 Ciaphas Cain / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 Confederation of Valor / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 Forward the Foundation / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 In Death / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 Line of Delirium / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 Monstrous Regiment / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 Night Watch (Discworld) / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 Splinter of the Mind's Eye / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 The Dungeon Cleaning Life Of A Once Genius Hunter / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 The Gadfly / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 X-Wing Series / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 Crazy Ex-Girlfriend / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 Power Rangers S.P.D. / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 Rumpole of the Bailey / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 Sedm Schodu K Moci / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 Ptolus (Tabletop Game) / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 The Gates of Hell (Tabletop Game) / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth (Video Game) / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 Dr. Crafty (Web Video) / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 Aisopos (Webcomic) / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 The Dungeon Cleaning Life Of A Once Genius Hunter (Webcomic) / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion
 Unsounded (Webcomic) / int_35fb4e55
type
Declining Promotion