Free rank is a term used to describe someone who's rank has been skipped by multiple amounts. An example of a reason they'd free rank could be due to favouritism.

A cultural and aesthetic mind-state that prioritizes making money, even as an “underground” or “radical” creator. The work isn’t made for money, but it’s the money that matters the most.

Free rank is a term used to describe when a person is promoted to a position/rank they are not capable of holding.