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

I joined the Marine Corps in 73... and somehow, made Sgt in 23 months. Yes...it can be both a boon and detriment in making rank fast. You are expected to mature faster than your peers. And while you are given more responsibility you are automatically competing with others with much more time in grade/service. More often than not, your success will depend on the type of leadership you have and your ability to lead the Marines entrusted to you.

In 68-69 Vietnam lieutenants fresh out of Officers candidate school with no history of service were telling enlisted E_5 & E-6 2nd or 3rd tousr what to do?????

I made E6(ssgt) in 22 months. Was in Vietnam and made the rank by field promotion without any promotion board. Went over as E4 out of AIT and moved 2 ranks in 10 months. Did my job well in Vietnam but not very well coming back stateside.

I made E6 in 5 years, than stayed at that rank for 8 years through no fault of my own, the Army just did not have many E7s retiring so no openings for E7. I was in signal so maybe it was different for other specialties.

Yes, but then again I think they need Specialist ranks back way to many move up that should not be in charge of shit.

I made E-5 in 13 months in the army. I was still the same person who joined the Army as an E-1.

I think there is. While it certainly takes dedication to gain rank this quickly, the responsibilities of the rank require a certain maturity, both age wise and military wise. Without that, problems can arise with regards to respect earned from lower enlisted and with regards to how the responsibilities of the rank are carried out and the maturity with which decisions are made.

Rank too soon...yes. it creates a myriad of issues stemming from inexperience in the leadership demands of a higher rank.

I've seen it done; a very talented Army Cook named Farkas I believe; he won some Division level contests and became the Division or Corps Commander's personal cook.

I enlisted in 1977 as an E3 due to having a college degree, made E4 about six months later. Became an E5 in 1979. Stayed an E5 through the rest of my enlistment, stayed an E5 in the National Guard 1980-85. I finally made E6 in 1988 the day before I departed for Warrant Officer Candidate School.