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

I will say, know your job completely. Not just what is on paper, but the actual physical parts. And most importantly, be a LEADER, not a boss. Get in there with your people and do the work WITH them. They will support and follow this way. A barking orders person only gets what is told and nothing more. Remember that. When you do that, age and TIS doesn't matter.

Fully depends. I have been fortunate to make E-6 in 7 years and I have served with Chiefs that made that "7 in 7" and they were some of the best mentors and leaders I have worked with in my time. On the other hand I have seen the polar opposite where I had an E-9 (CMC) that made it in 12 and his leadership was for lack of a better term, garbage. His impact to the command resulted in the firing of the triad and subsequent command investigation. The time it takes to earn rank is one that carves out that individuals skills and abilities to lead their sailors, soldiers and so on into battle. Earning that salt does have its advantages so while being that person that "walks on water" it is important to remember where you came from and to remain humble if you are fortunate enough to pick up rank that quickly. Their is never a point in anyone's career that they stop learning and growing as a leader and as long as they remember that than they can continue to be successful.

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If a retiree can comment, we had several E6 that got their stripes through stripes for school.MOS 62B Engineer Equipment maintenance.Two thar I remember were schooled in Maintenance of the Cooper-Bessemer Generator.Then the whole program was cancelled,They knew absolutely nothing about any other aspect of the job we had to carry them for over a year as they stumbled around trying to stay out of trouble.I thought hen and still do think that very many people make stripes too fast then get in over their heads when the poo hit the fan.

Yes you shouldn't make e6 in your 1st contract. That's too soon. Way too soon. You don't understand much of anything until after your 1st contract.

I strongly believ high speed promotion is detrimental to those who will serve under them. While an individual may be far superior to others in their technical skills the reality is that leadership is something that must be developed. As a PO1 on a ship you are the first line of leadership and must be compident. I made first class in about 5 1/2 years and while I thought that was great and I welcomed the pay raise, I needed more seasoning. Thankfully I had a great chief but looking back I realize he pulled me back from lots of mistakes and it shouldn't have been his job to save me from myself.

I joined the ARMY at 17 and made Sgt. E5 3,5 years later and SSG at 6yrs later. and SFC 10yrs later. However it took me 10 years to make E8. Retired at 23,5 yrs in.
I said all that to tell you I had great NCO;s who were Vietnam vets who mentored me and pushed me along to each rank. I was a platoon SGT. from day one when I made SGT. Yes during my career I worked hard to get everything I earned. Went to all of my NCOES schools, to include airborne/ Ranger and several other nontraditional schools. I also managed to get a A/A degree in between assignments and deployments. So I say go for it if you have the drive to be all you can be. I was no kiss ass I kicked ass and sometimes I had to pay the price for my stupidity.

I say yes because it comes with tremendous responsibility and you may not be ready for all the leadership and mentoring of young soldiers and give guidance and mental and physical and psychological needs the soldiers need

I made E-6 (SSgt) in six years during my first enlistment in the Army Reserve from 1973 to 1979. I believe it was because I was in the right position at the right time. I met all the qualifications at the time when reserve units were below strength. I retired after 32 years as a CW4 with a deployment to Northern Iraq.

With my experience in the USAF Auxiliary, a ripe hard charging airman can make C/SSgt in 6 months, while I made C/SSgt in two years and SMSgt in 1 year after E-5.