In "TWISTED", they weren't on Red Alert. That alarm was never sounded, though it should have. Maybe what was happening to the ship prevented it from going to that alert. I do agree that it showed ineptness on Baxter's part. Regarding Tom, he likely was a Lt. before he was disgraced from Starfleet, so Janeway probably simply reinstated what rank he was at.
Janeways hands were tied after Timeless. He reversed 25 good years in a timeline where the Federation beat the Borg, on a selfish whim. No promotions allowed. Kim should have been infront of a firing squad for that. Boy got lucky.
From 2364 to 2379 Data never advanced in rank, despite all he did on the Federation Flagship, so Kim is hardly alone in that regard.
Perhaps an ignorant question, but who actually does get promoted during Voyager 's run ? (discounting those of Paris, both of those seemed more like a rank reinstatement than a true promotion). Tuvok I believe? Torres perhaps? (I mean, beyond the initial promotion that was simply necessary when she got the role of Chief Engineer -- a position that absolutely needed to be filled) All in all, it would seem there wasn't much room for promotions, which would be kind of logical, since there's only the single ship.
With Data racism was an issue in the way of further promotion. Even after he single handedly saved the Klingon alliance in Redemption. With Kim it’s the same reason in Tapestry Picard was 65 year old ltjg. He never takes risks or stands out.
Maybe if Harry had been stabbed by a Nausican instead of catching an std from some space floozie his career might have turned out differently.
...and if he had been promoted... so what? I can't imagine it would have changed anything except for a few notes in the costuming department for the pips. He still would have been given, emotionally, the naive, young, inexperienced officer card to play... over, and over, and over again. For all the experience he gained, Harry Kim never really grew up - even though he supposedly desperately wanted to by the end.
Anticipating a seventy year return journey, what was Janeway suppost to do, hand out regularly scheduled time in grade promotions? In less than a dozen years she'd have a crew composed entirely of commanders and chief petty officers. Harry was probably promoted to lieutenent junior grade within weeks of arriving back on Earth.
From what I understand, in the real navy, the majority of officers will make it to the rank of Lieutenant and spend the rest of their careers perfectly content at that level, and retire. Promotion into command ranks isn't routine for all officers, but is meant for those select few who demonstrate the aptitude, leadership qualities, etc. that are needed for command duties. If others on the ship such as Tom and Tuvok were getting promotions, there's no reason Harry couldn't have been bumped up to Lt. (j.g.) as well. Kor
Yes, Starfleet department heads/chiefs such as Yar, Worf, La Forge as new chief engineer, Bashir, and some random redshirts throughout TOS, were typically at least Lieutenant-grade, never Ensigns. Edit: and even Transporter Chief O'Brien with full Lieutenant's pips before inexplicably becoming an enlisted man in DS9. Kor
Janeway had no reason not to promote Harry. He was a model officer and its not as if there wasn’t room for a promotion. Data worked the ops console at rank of Lieutenant Commander, but Harry never even made Lieutenant junior grade. And, to top it all off, a psychiatric therapist with a space slug inside of her went from ensign to captain in 7 years.
Janeway can't promote any one. She makes recomendations and then Earth usually confirms and ratifies.
We know she can grant field commissions at least (Tom Paris) and I suppose she promoted Torres to Lieutenant upon appointing her chief engineer. Even if those promotions would still have to be ratified by SF command after their return I'd say that would only be a formality, them having served 7 years in those roles satisfactorily. (Their Maquis background may still prove problematic, though)..
Exactly her entire crew would have to go on trial to justify every promotion given across the expanse of 40 years maybe? 150 people times 4 or 5 promotions. That's a lot of "Back pay" (there is no money) that Starfleet owes Terrorists who are still wanted for killing Federation citizens.
Not in the US service. Lieutenants get two chances for promotion to lieutenant commander after about 10 years of service, if they fail twice they are out, without enough years to retire. If a lieutenant commander is passed over for promotion to commander, they are on the bubble, they may make it to 20 years and retire or they may not, depending on the needs of the service. Most officers who retire after 20 years are full commanders.