TAKerry,
I had hoped that Dave, Stan, or Jim would see your post, but let me take a stab at it.... and then, any way I've got to call Dave today about the Grand National. So, I'll tell him.
First and foremost, I think everyone in AACA judging understands your concern. And yes, the Advanced school is not like jumping from high school calculus to graduate school, but there is a planned progression from one to the other. And every time I listen to Dain, Stan, John, I learn something new!
Thus, AACA Judges' training includes more than gaining credits to go to Advanced, be a Senior Master Judge, be a Team Captain, judge at a Grand National, etc. It includes experience. That experience certainly includes several schools, several different CJEs, judging at different places, on different teams, with different captains, in several classes, with several different makes and models.
In other words, while that credit goal is certainly worth it, the experience of getting there is a great part of what makes it worth it --whether it takes you three years or seven. That is also a great part of the fact that our judging system helps us judge any car and is admired by all.
BTW, welcome to the team! Enjoy the ride!
Phillip