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

PO1 Martin, Every rate (MOS) has different demands. Some have major personnel shortages at every level. Humble or not, if you’ve mastered your craft, as you should, and have the maturity, discipline, and leadership for the next level then you should continue to challenge yourself with more responsibilities. I always tried to operate at one level above my pay grade. This becomes a “no brainer” for command recommendation for advancements because it’s apparently visible to all that you’re ready for more. With that said, the Coast Guard has regulations for minimum years in service for both CPO (E7) and CWO. I don’t know the Navy regs but I’ll bet they’re similar. There’s a great deal of difference at the senior enlisted level; greater expectations, military bearing, service dedication, and no room for mistakes. Remember: Leadership is not a popularity contest. There will always be those that are envious of your success (a.k.a. “Haters”). Most will come around eventually to support you if you’re a good leader. Some never will. BTW, I went from E7 to E9 in 7 years. If I hadn’t I would’ve been subjected to High Year Tenure (HYT). It’s better to stay ahead of reduction in forces policies than to be caught up in it. Keep up the good work. I wish you all the best: Fair Winds and Following Seas!

I made E-4 in 16 weeks and made E-5 in 34 weeks.I don't think it was too fast if you have good training and use that knowledge right and don't let it go to your head. Just look at some of the officers who go through OCS.

Let’s go back to 1969 1970, when the army was so desperate for NCO’s that they relied heavily on the NCO academies. Graduates of these academies with less than six months in the army would be promoted to E-5 (Sergeant) and in some cases, especially those who did well with multiple choice tests, would be promoted to E-6 (SSG). Most of the maneuver battalions Vietnam were filled with these "shake and bake‘s." The Army’s career NCO’s were basically burned out, profiled heavily, or adept at finding staff positions at HQ in order to avoid the jungle. Experienced NCO’s were extremely rare in the field. As an Infantry 1LT with 12 months in the Army, 23 years old, and 4 years in ROTC, I had been in the Army longer and was older than any of the 40 soldiers in my platoon! THERE WERE SIMPLY NO WISE OLD NCO’s around to “nurture” me. That being said, most of these NCOIC graduates were smart, educated, college graduates or some college (remember the draft?). Did they learn fast? Hell yes...folks were trying to kill them—that’s motivation! Many of them were excellent NCO’s especially my friend SSG William Hugh, from Lowell, MA, my Platoon Sergeant who took a round through his helmet standing 2 feet away from me on February 28, 1970 just north of Vung Tau — KIA as a SSG with only 10 months in the Army. Smart and motivated, with time in grade and length of service is a great combo (respect to all career NCOs) but the first two items trump the latter.

Yes, getting promoted too soon can be a problem. I saw it happen when I was with Charlie Co, 3rd Amtrac Bn. There was a guy who made E-6 in five years. Unfortunately his leadership style was "lead by rank" not "lead by example". By year six he was no longer a Plt Sgt, he was the supply Sgt. I was promoted quickly but brought along slowly. I was a contract PFC, picked up L/Cpl TIG, six months later I was a Cpl, a year later I was a Sgt. In my case they started out giving me small details and gradually gave me more and more responsibility. Eventually I'd take out a section, five tractors, to support the grunts or work with reservists. If my wife had let me stay in I would have been a Staff in six years.

I have too many fast burners in my days in USAF. Some were well earned and more were cases of couldn't do the job so get promoted as fast as one can and be the supervisor/NCOIC.

One of the big problems that the US Army has seen in recent years is that of NCOs who are too young in their careers. During the Iraq/Afghan wars on Terror, we promoted many individuals too soon out of need.That need was to keep as many people in the ranks as possible. In some cases deployments played a factor in getting promoted. This was good for the individual, but not for the force as a whole. Once in the garrison environment, seneior leaders found that those who were promoted on the fast track, still lacked some of the qualities needed to be a well rounded leader.

The current SGM of the Army has been working on fixing this trend and ensuring that we have better leaders all around. That is not to say that all of those individual were not deserving. A good number of them had the maturity to be very good leaders at any level. There is a reason why Special Forces promote faster. In that type of unit maturity is a requirement, not a luxury. "To whom much is given, much is expected".

I made E-6 in 2 years &4 months, E-7 in 8 years and E-8 in 13 years.

BS. Talent over everything. You either have it or you don’t, mediocre individuals will rail against you till you shut up and leave.

Here is my take on it
Soliders need "stick time"! Mentor the younger Soldiers. Based on your personal experiences is the determining factor. And Im talking about all the way down to slick sleeve private. If they are hungry they will do what it takes to make rank. Now here is my take on being promoted to the NCO CORP. I 1ST 1SG used this formula. Sgt so and so. If it didnt sound right you werent going to the board. PERIOD! He only sent the cream of the crop. Thats how I did it. It didnt make popular but it showed my Soldiers that I ran my company my way. I got the best quality soldiers that wanted to be promoted for the right reasons. Promote then train. Oh hell no. It did go on but not in my company. Id personally pick who went to the board after I grilled them to death. Thats why I had the best NCO'S. There is no textbook for when to promote. Just use your gut feeling. As far as fast tracking up the ranks, it is more harm than good. Ive seen CSM'S go to lower enlisted for advice. Not cool. Plus if you move up too fast you will get passed over. Example a young NCO FAST TRACKING ALL THE WAY TO CSM. All in the same battalion. Never leaving the unit for more experience. Plus getting promoted with the minimum requirements. Now fast forward to the BN CSM'S TENURE. with no experience, no sizeable amount of time of troop leading, no staff time
2 options
1. Possible to move into a BDE CSM position, but not likely
2 Forced retirement
I choose number 2. Because fast tracking is nothing more than being about yourself. You are benefiting anyone else. Plus u have hindered your carreer of advancing any further. Just look over countless bios of BDE, DIVISION, AND POST CSM'S. THEY STAYED IN THE DIRT LONG ENOUGH TO GET A REALLY GOOD BITE. NOT JUST A NIBBLE AND MOVE ON...

A lot depends on level of maturity regardless of age or time in rank. A soldier whom has taken a few hard knocks in the civilian world will normally have a much clearer understanding of the who, what, where, when and whys of daily military life than a straight out of high school 17-18 yo. That is why most drill sergeants will try the older basic trainees as acting squad/team leaders first. Achievers, team players/leaders, Alpha male personalities and persueing of continued education even while active duty also help in the promotion of deserving warriors. It all comes down to case by case scenarios.