E6 in 3 years? Is there such thing as making rank too soon?

I knew a E-7 that was promoted by re enlisting after 4 years. I was a dumb E-3 and knew it.

My opinion is biased but I don't think so. If you have a freshman that can do what a senior does, you start them over the senior. I dont know why that's a bad thing. It's only bad when people try to tame you like a wild animal.

Promotions tend to follow the needs of the service. They promote when they need to fill ranks. The problems occur when soldiers are recomended and sent to boards because of favoritism, or "because it is time". In the 70's, the quota system was brought to the army. Affirmative action created problems for years. I spent years as an e-5 because the MP corps was downsizing in the late 70's and early 80's. As an E5 I pulled road duty and desk sergeant. I was a squad leader in a tactical MP company. I did MP operations and instructed at the MP school. When I finally pinned on E6, I was more than prepared. I jetted to E7 in the secondary zone. I made the E8 list, but never pinned it on because promotions went away with the Cold War. But having said this, I saw guys make it much faster Than I did and they did great. I guess it depends on the individual.

There are many cases where people have made rank way too soon. The system pushes people to get promoted as fast as possible. It is engrained in the troop's brains that they must promote fast or else. As a result, you have too many people walking around who have no experience with big heads causing more damage than doing good. A person should be promoted when they are experienced enough and can demonstrate being an expert on what they are currently doing while also demonstrating that they are ready to take on more responsibility.

I think that the other side of this is that some can make rank in time with their age and maturity and sill have issues

If you are good at your rate. Especially in the Navy that may be appropriate.

In the nuclear community at least, you pick up E4 automatically after 6 months for finishing 'A' School. Then about 6 months to a year later, you can pick up E5 for star reenlisting. Then if you get picked up for staff instructor immediately after, you can make E6. It may not be exactly 3 years but it is pretty close. But in my opinion that should be done away with for one reason: They are now in a position to lead and have had little to no fleet experience or leading experience.

Even coming in as an E3, what happened to TIS/TIG requirements- you can waiver one but not both. Is the SM prior service?

i can tell you this, i made e-3 in boot camp. and received my promotion to e-4 a year later. and my promotion to e-5 in my third year of my first tour. and i made it to e-6 my final year of active duty, but had to take an admin bust to go to reserves. i was hoping to get it back soon. but,because the rates in aviation was to overmanned they were108% manned and nobody was getting out,i never got it back. i had enough PNA points to make admiral. but aviation was just not advancing anybody. i finally transferred to inactive reserve and walked away. my discharge was given to me in march of '92.and i never looked back.

Yes This can be a problem,In my experience as you make each rank it comes with certain responsibilities and knowledge of who came before you. When I made E-4 Cpl in the Marines it was a big step.That was almost three years in. To rate the "Blood Stripe" on my Dress Blues, The Red Stripe on our Blue Trousers was a moment of Pride. E-5,E-6,E-7,and E-8 were easy compared to making Cpl. ..........You have to earn the respect of your peers.I made E-8 in just under 20 Years and had to extend in order to accept the Rank.