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

It depends on the person and MOS/AFSC. I flew with a loadmaster who made SMSgt (E8) under 10 years. Very early at the time. I asked him how he did it. He said he simply did what the AF told him to do. He excelled in his AFSC becoming an instructor-evaluator. He studied hard and maxed scores on Promotion Fitness Exam. He passed PT test. He completed his bachelors degree and SNCO leadership training. He also had a very positive attitude.

I made E4 in 18 months in the US Army 66-68.

In the private sector they advance the best and brightest that is the name of the game. And it pays off most of the time for the companies . In the military we don't always get the right person in the job that we would like . Why is because some of our best people didn't fill the right squares to meet the military standard . I made E-5 in two years in the Army in war time base mostly on my performance when I was called on . Later in my career I made E-6 over others because I had the squares filled through PME. Through out my career I seen many great people who were great at their jobs but never advanced past E-6 because because they never wanted to do PME and many would have made great supervisors . But because of our standards of promotions it could never happen . Just remember this not every Harvard or Ivy league grad pans out like many would wish . And great leaders are born with certain greatness that carries them throughout life . Many others learn and takes time but mature into their roles with God given abilities .

When I was in... your join date had a lot to do with it... time in grade and test dates.

I think it's too fast. Need to experience more of your field before making it to E-6. Especially in the combat arms fields, what kind of training / experience can you get in in three years. Heck, some people haven't even reenlisted in that time.

Conversely, I joined in 2006 aged 38 and made E5 after 3 years from PFC, My issue was the lack of common sense sometimes from senior NCO's without life experiences that would have stood them in better stead when making decisions that required some better empathy other than military regs written 20/30 years earlier that probably didn't or weren't necessarily applicable or relevant at that time, however, I fully understood the follow the regs ordinance just didn't necessarily agree with at times when dealing with certain SM

In 3 years?!?! Hell yeah that’s too soon. Doubt they’ve been able to master their basic job let alone learn how to lead.

Way too soon.The maturity is not there ...I have seen a CMDCM at 15 years,on a Ship underway, and it was a,disaster

In my era a soldier had to nominated to go to the next rank by a superior NCO/Commanding officer. It was by performance as well as years in service. EERs played a role in that even though you may have been transferred or had new personnel over you in your unit. I was in charge of a hospital wing for soldiers returning from Vietnam and their families. I was a SP6 at 25. In 9 years a MSG training soldiers to erect a field hospital in one day. If you can do your job and go beyond the minimum expected, always looking for ways to improve your objective, then that should be the criteria if your superiors are paying attention. I suppose with bullets flying over your head that may not be the case. I'm not sure how promotions are given today but I know I recommended those who earned it.

Yes, there are individuals who progress too soon, conversely, there are those who fail to progress. Both scenarios can be considered failures of leadership depending on the circumstances. The knowledge and performance that is expected from an E-6 is hard to gain in three years. However, there are also leaders that see the spark in young troops and attempt to cultivate that fire. There are outliers. It is our responsibility as seniors to mold and mentor juniors into successful seniors. When I was a young Soldier, there were two camps, the ones that encouraged me to progress and the ones that felt I was too young. Just like all young Soldiers, my mouth would get me in trouble but as I learned tactfulness and regulatory guidance, it fostered knowledge and the ability to talk to people in a manner that I could tell someone senior to me that they were a roaring dumpster fire, without being disrespectful. I was lucky to have a majority of leaders that saw something in me and cultivated my fire. We need to do the same for this newer generation that is slated to replace us. Young or not, take someone, hell a few people under your wing and mold them, teach them. Be there when they need advice, even when you move on to a new duty station. Encourage people to work out of their comfort zone. Give troops regular counseling and make sure to include promotion counseling, so they know what your expectations are as a leader. Don't be a salty older Soldier when you see someone make rank faster. Sometimes, it's about being at the right board at the right time and there are definitely those that deserve to be promoted that don't get picked up. But, don't be a roadblock unless that person is not performing at the level expected for their current grade or position that they hold. Don't allow people to not take care of the individuals under their charge. Put a junior Soldier in charge once and a while, let a young troop shadow you here and there. Let them see what it's like to be the 1SG or PLT SGT every once and a while. Counsel, Counsel, Counsel... I owe where I am today to a lot of people who pushed me forward and to some who said I couldn't or that I was too young to succeed.