I agree 100%.
If your application is a very straightforward, routine “no-brainer” (such as an academy grad third mate upgrading to sec9nd mate with all unlimited tonnage seatime) it will be approved in due course.
If your application is anything out of the ordinary, (such as using combined tug and barge tonnage seatime to upgrade) it could easily take a year, and may require a request for reconsideration that could take another year. And maybe an appeal after that.