Can an E-3 get promoted to E-4 by their commander before having the 18 month TIS and 3 months TIG?

I enlisted as an E1 and made E4 in 14 months. I was volentold to drive for a three star. He asked why I was still an E2 with 13 months in the Army. After finding out I was a good soldier, he pinned my E3 on the next morning after ripping my entire chain of command (two star and down) for failing to care for good soldiers. I was promoted to E4 the first of the next month and had orders for Korea three months later.

The regs also says there is automatic promotion from SPC to SGT without board appearance once you complete the SFQC.

I came into the military as an May E3, in 1978, January of 1979 I was pinning on E4...