Why should age and T.I be considered at all? The best x number of people at the rank below should get the promotino/appointment. That way you promote based on merit, on who can do the job best, not on how long have they been in. Until he left in Nov, a friend of mine, a Sgt, was the cadet in our sqn who had been in cadets the longest. Great guy, but not a great leader. If T.I and age were major considerations, he would have been WOI or at least WOII, neither was a position he was suited for.
I've had people who joined after me and were younger than me promoted over me. Who cares? If they're the best suited for the job, good for them! If you don't think they are, step back, think of your chance to evaluate their skills with no bias. Compare that to the officiers skills to do the same thing. Who do you think has a better chance of making the proper descision?