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

When I first joined, I made 4 in 14 months and sat for six years before I made 5. Twelve months later I was put in for 6. I had a 15 month break-in-service service in there too. I had an NCO whom didn’t want me to be his equal, so he didn’t let me go to the board. I then had a waste of my time SSG, whom I never saw for a Squad Leader. Suffice to say, I was held back because of two individuals...
That said, I was pretty pleased, fortunate in not being in the sandbox, I had more personal awards than either - and no, I wasn’t a board weenie! As funny as it may seem, I only went two, both the 5 and 6 boards. I turned 6 down, being retired on a medical.
My main reason for jumping in here is to make you folks flip the coin here. Let’s go back to the Civil War era. Think of those troops, their ages, the era, etc., now tell me if a 28-30 year old COL/06, or even Flag Officer was or wasn’t ready for battle after rising thru the ranks of that war? Look at Audie Murphy during WWII. I am sure there are a number of others out there...
Just food for thought when you are in a position of authority and are promoting folks. There are a select few out there whom are extremely mature at a young age, and, there are those that join later in life and are mature already! So do you hold them back because YOU don’t “think” they are ready? Quite honestly, at that point, questioning yourself you should be seeking assistance and guidance before you truly either hold a troop back, or make them seek other employment! Have actually seen SSGs with 18.5 years walk, and OCS selectees say nope, I’m done playing the game!
Always seek the advice of higher - you might be saying goodbye to the next SMA, or CJCS!
My thoughts and prayers are with each of you Brothers and Sisters! Peace

There was a kid in the S3 shop that made E6 in 3 years. He was completely inept. He couldn’t make a sound decision. He was moved to my S4 section. I sent him to assist a company supply sergeant inventory before deploying back to the US and he was caught stealing equipment. He went back to the US as a private.

The fastest I heard of E-7 is 7 years, which would be E-6 in 4. I once knew an E-7 who made it in 8 years and at 16 years was still waiting for E-8.

Lots of factors go into accelerated advancement, mostly getting time waivers and guaranteed promotions. We can work backwards to see how quickly an active duty Sailor can make E-6.

To start, eligible Time In Grade is retroactive to January 1st for the March test cycle, promotions eligible July 16 through December 16, July 1st for September cycle. It's 3 years TIG for making E-6, but up to 1 year may be waived. Let's say the Sailor takes the September exam for promotion in the 1st half of the following year. He would have put on E-5 off the September exam 2 years prior. In order to be eliginle for that exam, you must meet requirements NLT June 30th. You need one year TIG as E-4, which means promotion to E-4 can be as late as June 30th.

Various accelerated programs guarantee E-4 upon graduation from A school, and some may be under 2 months. Basic training for two months means there is plenty of time to go active duty in January, get out of Basic and complete A school and E-4 before the July 1st deadline. You do have to complete all leadership and professional requirements prior to thevend of June, which is ambitious, but possible. TIG for promotion is retroactive to before you went active, making you eligible for the E-5 exam shortly after you put on E-4. If you make 1st increment, you could be paid for E-5 before your 1-year mark (and theoretically before you turn 18).

As stated before, you can have a year waived going up for E-6. It's rare, used mostly for deserving sailors as a reward for being good, or perhaps to allow a sailor a chance to get back on track if they were unfairly held back in the past or administratively demoted not for disciplinary reasons.

You still have to meet federal minimums, otherwise be an early test taker. If you are flagged as early, you can't just meet the minimum requirements for promotion, but also have ti be in the top 10% of test takers.

Yes, you can make E-6 in 3 years. If you're fresh out of high school, maybe not so unless you've been working that field since you were 12. Otherwise, an older Sailor with journeyman or craftsman skills might already have all the skills, just no Navy experience, and can be deserving of such accelerated promotion.

Yes! and here is my take on it from a posting on FB whom made E-4 in 9 months. Way to soon to be a PO3. Back in my day it takes about 3 to 4 years to make PO3 and that's when you have all your Ducks in a row. I think that promoting to fast and to young can be detrimental to one's career in any service. Is the Navy getting like the Army? Promoting & promoting to the grade of E-4 and become a stalemate / in limbo to make E-5 and only to get discharge because of failing to meet Time & Grade in service (Retention). The youngins know nothing and have no experience in doing the job & leading peers of lower rank.

Okay, I'm confused. In my time in service, there was a required Time in each Rate to allow for growth maturity and knowledge of that particular Rating. It went something like this:
E1 thru E3= Could be attained through Boot camp or ROTC program at high school lever. Also a minimum of 12 months if entering the fleet as E1, to become an E3.
E4- One must spend at least 24 months as an E4 before even being considered for E5. Though we had programs where one could be frocked or Advanced for Stellar Performance.
E6- There was a minimum of 3 years as an E5 one Had to fulfill before you could be eligible for E6. This TIR was mandatory for the growth wisdom and knowledge necessary to hold this esteemed position. Three years and promoted to E6...Waaayyy too soon! This is the equivalent to Sergent Senior Airman or NCO. I would NOT follow someone who made E6 in three years into combat or a bar fight. Sorry, that's just me! I've seen far too many o these types Fall Fail and Falter throughout their careers, if they were fortunate enough to actually have one.

I think making E-6 in 3 years is WAAAYYY too fast! There is maturity to think about. If someone enlists at 18, that means a 21 year old SSG/PO1/TSgt. Some people may have enough maturity for the responsibilities of the rank, but most people do not. I might have been a "late bloomer" but Life didn't make sense to me until I was 23 years old. Before then I was a confused "kid" bumbling through life.

I enlisted at 35 years old and made E-6 in 7 years. I don't feel that I had enough E-5 time, as I spent 5 1/2 years as a E-4 SPC, and then less than 2 years at E-5 SGT before being promoted to E-6 SSG. I was a "Team Leader" in charge of three Soldiers while a SGT, but that time was mainly at a desk job and leading my Soldiers was monthly counselings and ensuring accountability. However, I think my E-4 time gave me a lot of perspective on following and noticing what made both good and bad leaders. I've been a SSG (E-6) for 6 years now and have lots of leadership time. I am pretty confident about the upcoming USAR SSG-SFC Promotion Board in September.

I made E7 in 7 years, but I was also prior service with a 6 year gap. Sometimes there are those who make the rank fast but don't have the experience and/or maturity to fill the responsibilities of that rank. I'm sure most of us have served with/under someone that fell into that category. Not good for anyone.

yeah and i screwed the pooch on my comment i had to go back and correct it. i actually made E6 in about 3 1/2yrs. recalling my promotions kicks my butt sometimes. i made E4 in one year almost to the date. then E5 the following year again almost to the date. then E6 SSG came in mid 1969 after attending the 6th Army NCO Academy at Ft Lewis.

For a Specialist it's just a pay grade, go for it.

I made E4 (Army) in just under 4 years and at the time I thought that was kind of quick.