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

In the ancient days of Vietnam, when NCOs in the Infantry were rare, and casualties were high, the Army had the NCOC program where young soldiers who did well would go through 90 days of training on what it took to be an Infantry Squad or Team Leader, followed by 90 days of OJT running a training squad/platoon back in an Infantry AIT battalion. Then they were shipped off to Vietnam to serve as a small unit leader.

I was “first-cycle” which means my time in NCOC was not voluntary. We were just sent. After the first cycle, the program became. Volunteer.

Rank too early, probably, but special circumstances ruled the day.
Oath of Enlistment June 1967 PVT E-1 age 19
Grad from Basic PVT E-2
Grad from AIT PFC E3
Nov 1967 entered NCOC program (Non-Commissioned Officer Candidate) Corporal E-4 (not Spec 4!)
Grad NCOC March 1968 SGT E-5
Vietnam June 1968 - June 1969 11B4P age 20-21
June. 1969 assigned as Instructor, Ground Committee, USAIS, Fort Benning (Black Hat)
Went before E-6 Promotion Board December 1969, Promoted SSG E-6 on December 10, 1969, age 22.
E-1 to E-6 in 913 days.
ETS May 28, 1970

Great job I made Sgt E-5 at 18 mos then SSG. E-6 in 28 months and I was 22 yrs old and Msg E-8 buy the time a was 32 everything is possible just being in the right place at the right time.Retired in 1986

I made E-5 in 2 years but I worked at it in the office and studying in the barracks. It was more productive than going out and geting wasted like so many squadron mates were doing. That was 1956-58.

This guy was promoted to Captain at 21 after enlisting at 17 and then going through OCS. Fascinating story. Worth a watch. https://youtu.be/Oz9oHHV8pTM

I made E-5 at the end of my three year enlistment this I think was due to the Military's manning woes due to the War in Vietnam,granted I still had to attend the NCO academy and pass the sergeants board back in Ft. Polk,but I feel the rank of SGT needed more experience and training in my MOS so yeah I think it was too quick in my case

I think there should be an alternate rank structure for every branch, one that allows servicemembers to earn more with promotions based on work ethic, but without placing them in higher positions of authority and decision making. I don't see anything wrong with making rank quick, but the problem that usually occurs is the servicemember lacks proper leadership experience when they are slotted for a higher leadership position.

I was an PO1 at 23 and a Chief at 26. And yes, there is such a thing as making rank too fast. Senior Enlisted are relied upon for their experience, and when you lack the years to provide said experience, what really does thia Sailor have to provide at this point? I retired as a CMDCM.
The opposite is being stuck at PO1 and not making Chief until near the end of their HYT. Generally, they were never able to make that needed transition I to wearing that Anchor.
With all that said, you take what opportunities the Navy offers you, and if you promote "too fast" you have to make that extra effort to learn faster as well. Seek out great mentors and learn from your mistakes.

I am addressing the Enlisted side. I have seen some individuals that had the military knowledge and mature attitude to working in that new position. But, I have seen individuals that were not ready for advancement to the next rank. In my last 10 years of service, I have meet some Senior NCO's that were promoted and shouldn't have. E-7s and above are matched up with an officer to advise and support the missions set forth by their officers. They need to have the over all military knowledge to advise their commanders, and must support any course of action their commander chooses 100%. As long as these orders are lawful orders.

I never saw too many fast burners in the AF and most of that stopped at E-7 as then you had a promotion board and more than scoring high on promotions exams were required. Funny things like experience and leadership ability. My AFSC (MOS) only got 2 E-8 slots a year and 1 E9 but those went away when they lumped us with a larger AFC for selection to E8-9. Most of my AFSC were 1 deep except maybe at MAJCOM so you pretty much supervised yourself only so hard to compete with those in other career fields. Kind of sucked but paid off on the civilian side as job skill is in high demand. I had an EE degree as an enlisted troop but was mostly 1 deep most of my career when it came to the board. When I was in I think there was only about 75 AD types in my field.

Yes and no , if we are at war and your making rank because all the folks above you are getting killed off and you got to step up to survive I see no problem , because trying to stay alive and save those around you as well tends to mature a fellow or gal right quick . You will grow into the job .
On the other hand in a peace time environment making rank too fast can lead to failure , at a young age your just might not have the right combination of life experience and knowledge to take on all the responsibility of the rank .