So, you're an admiral (bounty hunter), and therefore you can't get anymore promotion, and therefore you cannot unlock more skills - such as the fleet command thing ?

Or do you have to try to switch allegeance (is that even possible) in order to get more promotions elsewhere ?

Or is the game over (at 32 years old) without being over ?

Anyway, no more progression bar under the character portrait...

The game isn't over when you max out your level. The ultimate goal is to win the war for your faction and I don't consider the game over until that's done.

The maxing out aspect is a trade-off. On one hand, it is a shame not to be able to get experience any more, as that is one of the main parts of the game. On the other hand, it's an extra challenge because the game forces you to make tough choices about which skills you pick. You can't just pick them at random knowing you'll get them all eventually. You have to be smart and carefully consider which ones are best.