I've a colleague whose promotion is very fast. GEO4 in 3rd year and GEO5 in 6th year. Not a KP, Unisim grad with masters (also Unisim). Everyone was surprised with his promotion to GEO5 this year. Not particularly outstanding, no big project. But a socialiser and knows who to rub shoulders with, and would complain to the 'powerful' KP when another KP complained about his inefficiency. One thing he's known for - power hungry while not exactly capable as compared to other GEO4s.