I see what you mean. When I said “growing as individuals” I meant it moreso as “learning about ones self”, i.e.: Kirk is forced to face and overcome his own racism, Spock faces his own biases when he is let down by the betrayal, etc. But yes if we’re talking career advancement, then you’re right. They’re all basically facing retirement except Sulu and Chekov, really.

Personally speaking that doesn’t affect the story at all for me, I think it’s up there with TWOK as the best Trek film for it’s Soviet Union “end of history” allegories.