A significant amount of success for people in key leadership positions can be attributed more to in groups and out groups than competence.

Especially at the lower level. It's tough to be incompetent when the Army surrounds you with an entire team of support.

You described quite a lot of differences between yourself and your immediate supervisor.

For most of my career I failed spectacularly pretending my supervisors hobbies, beliefs, or political leanings weren't stupid.

Have you ever struggled to not comment on how ridiculous your chubby boss looks on a tiny cheap Harley Davidson Sportster?

I'm convinced if I could ever explain or understand the sporty rivalry between Ohio and Michigan I would have went much farther.

I've had a criminally negligent subordinate receive glowing recommendations for assignments and awards from my boss's boss because they went to the same church.

It's sad. But if you can fake common interests with your boss or the people that influence your boss you can be pretty successful.