Geordi (lt jg) moving from helm/navigator to Chief of Engineering in a week. Granted they also did that in "Into Darkness" but at least they didn't turn Chekov into the greatest Engineer ever in a few days.Cadet to Captain of the flag ship in a week. Pine-Kirk is certainly an achiever. Does the US navy have that kind of promotional opportunity?
There is a gap of a few months between The Neutral Zone and The Child. Presumably, Geordi's engineering training takes place then.
If they stated that I would have been a lot happier. They just (it seemed) plonked him in that position when he'd never been seen as ever having interest/training/history(majored in Engineering at the Academy say) in that position at all.
And then he jumps into that position and is suddenly such as expert. Much better than Scotty or B'Elanna from Day 1.