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

I made it in 4 and the only reason was that Hospital Corpsman were getting killed off during the vietnam war which I was in. I remained an E6 for the next 16 years since my NEC changed to Biomedical Repair after I returned to the USA and went directly to Fitsimmons Army Hospital in Denver for training. I never could pass the Military part of the exams and basically I wasn't interested in that part of my career. Since then they no longer require biomed's to take that part and focus on the actual jobs we performed. So I am told. I was out of the Navy twice but came back in each time without losing a stripe since we were needed.

I certainly wasn't making a 6 in 3, but I was fast tracking to make a 5 in 4. Deployed I was promotable 4 ready to get my 5 but got hurt, WTU Bound they wouldn't give me my 5 because my injuries prevented me to pass PT Test (messed up I know) so they gave me a FG Promotion to get my chevrons. I'm not happy about it, but I guess that's why they don't call them the Hard Stripes for nothing. Point being, it depends on the MOS, How Good Command is on noticing the soldiers that can handle the next rank and how motivated the solideir is. I do think that After 6 some time in rank is probably a good thing. Wisdom is derived from experience, not book reading (although that is important too). I would rather have a WISE leader than a Book Smart Know it all. If personally given the choice I would want to be the experienced leader not the wet behind the ears college student (no offense to the fresh butter bars out there), but that's also why I think soldiers that went from green to gold make better officers in most cases too. Not always, but from my experience most often that is the case a soldier with experience and time in rank seems to have a better understanding to lead and groom soldiers under them opposed to someone that earned the rank via college education, favoritism or any other means.

Interesting this question continues to come up regarding enlisted advancement. Why never for Officers? I made E-5 in 2.5 years at age 20, E-6 in 4 years at age 22, 2 LT at age 24, and Captain by age 28. Personally, I observed more officers unprepared to lead a platoon at 21 or 22 than NCO’s at the same age. Conversely, there are stories of 20 year old O-3 Company Commanders in Combat leading men with exceptional results. It may have more to do with maturity than age. IMHO.

I made E5 in les than 4 years and felt ready. it depends on your maturity level and ability to command respect of your peers. Some people are mature enough to be an E6, but not many.

Takes 3 to make 5 unless you were a REF !

It really depends on the degree of leadership responsibilities you have. I know in the army depending on whether you are combat, combat support or combat service support MOS, your direct accountability and supervisory functions can vary greatly. We at one time had the "stripes for skills" program which meant a civilain LPN nurse or RT who more or less had already done tech school for those jobs got the higher rank. Throwing on rank without some good mentor/mentee time on the job is iffy. Same for not completing the NCOES. I had a unit 1SG who somehow had to do PLDC at the E8 pay grade. He laughed about it. As an RN I had a Lt Col in my Captain career course.

not really it how you get there

Made E-5 in under 3 years in the AF in 1970. Put my strip on before reporting to my next post, the senior NCO's told me the first day they were going to get my strips. They crapped on me for a short time then decided I knew my job and backed off. I was in service at the right time and the right place.

there is no way in gods green earth to make E-6 in three years in the navy. I was in 71-77 USAF and 78-93 USN. Never saw any of my friends as RM2 that took the RM1/E-6 test until they had at least 10years, I have seen Operations Specialist who made it in 7 years but no one makes it in 3 years. another thing I saw these Push button E-4 that never served as a Fleet radioman and did not learn there rating. did not believe in push button. it takes fleet experience to get promoted.

I came in as a SPC. I had 2.5 yrs of college and a yr in ROTC.
SGT took 2 yrs and SSG in another 2yrs. Now I had to wait for the scores to go from 999 down. We watched our "Ps and Qs until the scores came out again.