If I have a hire available, and I promote my lieutenant instead of using the queen, it will remove the current 3 hire options permanently. Happened to me in 2 games and doesn't make sense. Intentional?
yes. it works both ways. say i want the smuggler but i need the general so i pass on the smuggler which may suck or my next 3 hires are not the strategy i'm going for at this moment so i use that time to promote and get 3 new picks next.