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

Yes, I'm not sure how fast is too fast-but it's a subjective timeframe, for sure.

General individuals that are on the fast track also because of their technical abilities. And generally these individuals are plugged into a system where that is understood and the need for their technical abilities outweighs the need for their leadership skills. Of course he's individuals still have to go through the same courses as everyone else the leadership courses and continually be evaluated. My early twenties I served in the Navy for three years and four months and began as an ENFR (E-1).. but it's time I left the Navy I was in E5. Of course when I was older 42 years old I joined the army reserves as an E3.. one year I was in E4 and I guess one more year and I was in E5 and as soon as I made it E5 I dropped my warrant officer packet. 1 years of w1 I became a W-2. So when six years approximately I went from an E3 to a W-2. Did I deserve it of course I did I earned it I paid attention to detail. I sought out responsibility. Drill weekend with the army reserves by Sunday everybody's pretty wore out but my boots were shiny as day one. It's be honest with you I was inspired by an e6. What I made my E4 he called me over and put his arm around me and he said Hogan you're on the fast track keep up the good work you know what to do. Is the military prejudice of course there are discriminators everywhere. They even get away with defeating the 1974 eeo act that says that you cannot discriminate against anybody of the ages of 45 and above. Which is a shame by myself right now at the age of 57 I am no slouch I can meet or exceed the standards and that's what is required for success.I did see a lot of warrant officers that were about themselves I never took that stance we are only as strong as our weakest link we leave no one behind my people come first because without them there is no mission and there are certain personal promises I make to myself. Like I will not tolerate any of my soldiers dying or becoming damaged is my responsibility to get them through it all and succeed I feel proud of what they've done and be righteous and when the hearts and minds of those who oppose us. When it was time to take supplies I was there making a chain when it was time to throw out the trash I was there assisting you have to instill your intent you have to give them ownership you have to put the authority where the authority needs to be the two pillars of intent the first two questions your people should ask themselves is it safe and is it the right thing to do these individuals understand what is required what their Commander or leader requires of them. They succeed we all succeed and they can take all the credit like a proud father yes. There is one true fact about war it's like street fighting the first rule of street fighting is not to get into a fight. And we are governed by the Constitution of the United States and that should not be waived for any reason for anyone and as we are the benefactors of this constitution every person beyond the borders should also fall under the Constitution of the United States of America in our actions at least. One problem at a time God bless you all

I was offered E6 and $10,000 tax free on my 2 yr and 7 mo. anniversary. Albeit, it was done in Nam, at the time. It took me 5 seconds to tell my captain, NO.
That is why war is manufactured. It puts money in fat cat back pockets and rank for the full hitch guys

I made E7 in 5 1/2 years it happen. But, I stayed an E7 for 13 years.

yes, there is . The Non Commissioned Officers Corps has had to deal with this with the butterbars fresh off the military commissioned reservation. It is known as lack of good leadership skills due to lack of development of said skills.. Now with the Nco side it was usually seen when someone reclassed for promotion into the ranks of the Infantry Nco.. Why ?. not everyone is cut out to be an Infantryman let alone a Leader of Infantryman, same as a Medic but people find there way into jobs they have no business being in. That being said those who fast track through the promotion's tend to have big ego's as a result without the seasoned leadership skills to back them up, and yes there is always an exception to the rule of leadership, some are born leaders others take time like fine wine... When the 15th Inf Reg 3rd Id. was still stationed in then West Germany, A Soldier by the name of Pvt E-1. Audie Murphy enlisted in the U.S. Army as a 11 bang bang and his first tour he was assigned to West Germany , more specifically to the headquarters of the 7th brigade to B. co. 1st Bn. 15th Inf in Ketzingen, West Germany he went from E-1 to E-4 in 12 month's half the time it took me back in those days.. This guy had it made to make E-5 in 18 month's he was on a fast track for promotion, because he shared a well known name in the 3rd Id. The most decorated Solder of ww2. Lt. Audie L. Murphy MOH B cop. 1st Bn. 15th Inf Reg.... Unfortunately he was not a chip off the old block as not long after he was promoted to E-4 he was chaptered out of the Army for failing a drug test... lack of development...

The Army must promote differently then the AF, we have a thing called time in grade, and it's no way you could get promoted to E-6 in four years. Even with a spot promotion thrown in it would be almost impossible to make E-6 in less then six years. With max points for evaluations, and awards, the people who had more TIS and TIG would likely beat you out. The average grade for an airmen after four years was E-4 when they were discharged. So it looks like the Army has or had a better promotion system then we did.

Toward the end of the Civil War, a young man from Pennsylvania, Galusha Pennypacker as I remember the name, became a general of volunteers in the Union Army. When the Civil War ended, he was not quite old enough to vote. Oh, he entered the conflict as an enlisted man. E-6 in three years? Man, that's small potatoes!

The only time I have ever seen an early advancement was when I enlisted in 1961. The Recruiters were offering rapid advancement for people whose civilian career was exemplary and needed in the military. I was offered an early advancement because I was a qualified Printer at the age of 5 and had 13 years of experience when I enlisted. I turned it down because I was afraid I would be missing out on too much. I did make Chief in 11 years but never got any higher because of Affirmative Action. I was told that there were no billets for E-8 or E-9 yet a black E-7 was promoted to both and the billet canceled when he was again promoted. That's life.

Without a college degree? Probably too soon.

I made Sergeant in 24 months, and Staff Sergeant in 60 months; three years after that, I got the call that I was on the list for Sergeant First Class, and I pinned it on a year later. Four years later, I was out of Reforger trying to coordinate something with the British Army and got back to our location in time to jog to a formation and then respond to a call from the CG to "front and center..." I got there, and the adjutant announced that I was on the list for Master Sergeant. About fifteen months later, I pinned it on. Yeah, I was a fast mover. Thing is, there was a lot of nit noid stuff I never experienced, and it showed when they hand selected me for a First Sergeant position with a troubled company and a very "Captain Quegg" type company commander. Served in the role for fifteen months, and did staff crap for four years, all in SGM operations roles until I got another chance to put on my diamonds. After my first First Sergeant position, I figured out that I was never going to make Sergeant Major. Served continuously in First Sergeant roles because I loved the work and didn't mind the hours and issues. Tore up my back doing "juvenile shit" as one of my CSM mentors called, and ultimately dropped my papers with a variety of back problems and other health issues. Two weeks later, the list came out and I was on E-9 list with a sequence number of 1 and the CSM list with the same sequence number. I realized that I could probably stay until 30 years, but the types of positions I be assigned with my back told me it was time to do something else.

In retrospect, I have no regrets; I learned a lot of stuff making up time in that first First Sergeant Assignment and the following staff E9 roles. I served with more great people and earned the chance to be First Sergeant of a staggering Headquarters Company which was in really good shape when I left. I did a good job at the next one, but I heart wasn't in it. Here's the deal and it's pretty simple -- work hard, accomplish the requirements and you'll be promoted but it's always based on needs of the service. You may get promoted early -- doing PO1 work for less than a long in the tooth PO2 makes, but who cares. Things will even out, and it's important to remember as Stonewall Jackson (the singer, not the General) sang, "Everyone will meet your Waterloo.." It's how you respond to that experience that pays your dues that you skipped over in the chase. ( I've also said that everyone meets their career ending asshole, and it really depends on luck as to what happens...)