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

In the Army we have a score. When the points goes down in Sgt or SSG
Is when we get promoted.

I made E5 in three years (‘68-‘71). As an EO I did three tours of Vietnam in that time. I don’t know if that had anything to do with it or not. After my three tours i was separated from the Navy and spent the rest of my enlightenment on inactive reserve. Another note, my basic training was cut in half along with my A school. From the time I enlisted to the time I was deployed it was 13 weeks. I was not the only one who made rank that fast.

I have read before that you can rank up too fast . I think in my opinion that ranking too fast if you're too young can be an issue due to the fact that you may not be mature enough , but I'm not sure if that would apply to someone who is a little bit older already in the army .

It all depends on your maturity level and ability to comprehend your responsibilities. Number one, you have to be technically proficient at your grade and every one below. If you don't know your job and your subordinates then how can you know/evaluate their performance? Number two, you have to have the maturity to use your authority in an appropriate manner. This is where many get into trouble. Like the CSM below said, it can go to your head. Study up on leadership principles and use the appropriate level of supervision based on your personal style and the level of experience of your crew. Never be a know-it-all but don't hesitate to correct in a positive manner.
Good luck in your future

Upon completion of basic training, E-6 is awarded to all branches upon arrival at a Special Band! United States Marine Band are exempt from basic training!! Purpose of E-6 is to keep inline with pay as a civilian musician!

First let me say I am retired Army, I also had reenlisted in my late 30's, this resulted in many individuals younger than me out ranking me. With that being said, I pointed out to many NCO's and officers alike, how I would not come to them if I was having problems, whether career or family related. My basis for that comment, simply my age and years of military service. For me, dealing with NCO's who were younger than me but outranked me, often ended in them showing their overall immaturity. Granted this may not apply to all who make rank quickly, but it is the most common scenario.

It's important to do some soul searching; its all about the responsibilities that comes with promotion and if you're personally ready. As one promotes, duties and responsibilities increases. I appreciate individuals who step up to the plate and say's "I am not ready yet." There are those who promotes as they meet the requirement of TIG/TIS, but sometimes, they are not up to the challenge. At the end...do some soul searching; after all, it's American lives your leading or fail to lead..

Hard to say and personally I think it’s within the individual to manage the promotion ladder.
While in the army I joined as (E-ya owe me 1) and made rank fairly quickly. By my 2nd year I was Spec4 and 2 months later Corporal. In my 3rd year while stationed in Germany, I was selected for and received grade waivers to attended BNOC and PNOC. When I graduated the first course as Distinguished Honor graduate I was promoted to E5 Sergeant when I returned to my duty station. In 6 months my CSM requested I attend the 2nd course and of course I considered that an order not a question. I would have preferred to wait as in my Platoon I had seasoned E5’s and E6’s who never attended either School as of yet. Never the less I went and I graduated Top 10% and #2 in the class. This was all before my actual 4th year. When I returned I was reassigned from 3rd Squad leader to 1st Squad leader replacing the E6 in position who moved to 2nd Squad.
This did not go over well with my fellow Squad leaders and in private we all talked about it and they felt I was too young in grade for the job, however we just dealt with it by moving my old squad up with me and he took his back with him... I didn’t care as I had a great squad
4 months later we had our 72 hour ARTEP where my Squad was the first Squad to pass their ARTEP on the first go...
Nothing was ever said again and when we got back to base my Squad was given the a 4 day pass by the company commander and no clean up duties. I was informed I would be promoted to E6 and a hefty bonus upon my reup. It never went to my head because I earned it with hard work dedication and one hell of a squad....
That said
Sadly my wife (non army issued) didn’t like the life and hence cane the ultimatum...
Should have stayed in
Divorced 2 years later

Something I didn't mention previously in this post is that sometimes it depends VERY HEAVILY on who you know and who you...well, you know. The first artillery SMOKE (chief of the firing battery in artillery/E-7) I ever met was a former drill sergeant who had sex frequently with one of his trainees, dated her after basic & AIT, got her pregnant, and married her when she was a 19 year old PV2. She was an E-5 before her 21st birthday and an E-6 not too long after. That smoke made damn certain she got squared away. He even got her records so incredibly stacked that she didn't get reduced!

There is a such a thing as getting promoted too quickly. I retired in 2016 as an E-5, which many believe was a waste, but I personally feel that not all people are suitable to be in leadership positions. I have known many E-5 and above that had no business being in leadership positions, and only were promoted because they went to the board prior to RCP and got points or had advantages such as a college degree or delayed entry. My last tour to Iraq, I was the Ammunition NCOIC as an E-5 even though there were 2 NCOs that were senior to me, because of my experience. Personally I believe that the Army made a mistake removing the other specialist ranks. A person can be a great subject matter expert without being a good leader.