回复：this logic is not entirely impossible

While after you get the position, your main concern would be how to keep it, especially at the current economy. To do that, first you need to eliminate the people most threatening to your position by their skillsets and ability, not by their years of service. You should not even allow your boss to see the possibility of the combination of your two subordinates could practically replace your function. Second, laying off people is often healthy for the company when you can easily get rid of people who are not performing, not worthy or not fiting.