Don't you think that your rise through the organization would be greatly dependent upon your abilities? I would assume that whatever you were told would be based upon a "best case scenario". 9 months for training? Sounds to me like you will be paid the lowest pay scale for at least this period of time (no matter how good you are in each deparment) and if you're still there after 9 months you may begin to see some of those advancements - that is if they think you're the right candidate. More likely, after 9 months you'll be asked to take a job in the department you showed the best aptitude for and that's where you'll be when YOU start bitching on this board!

But this is all a guess - maybe someone in corporate can tell you what it's REALLY like.