The phrase "climbing the ranks" doesn't mean just military ranks, it's a common aphorism to all occupations or activities that are hierarchical, which are pretty much all of them. Maybe not a quilting group though.

She was a congresscritter, she ran for president, she was climbing the ranks like a boxer looking for that championship belt. I'm not entirely sure why you took that and ran with it the way you did, except you were intent on being contrary, and thus overlooked the obvious interpretation as plain as the nose on a face. A potter works with clay, and you're not giving me clay.

Thanks though.