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

I joined the Navy in 1964 as a E-1. I went to A school and in two years was E-4.
I took the E-5 test, and in 1966 I entered Oak Knoll Naval Hospital and spent one year as a patient. I was told I could not get E-5 while in the hospital. I was eventually put on the TDRL for 6 years before the Navy said I was totally disabled, Officially Retired USN. At the time it seemed like the worst thing. However, the retirements benefits have helped my and my family a lot. The biggest issue has been the VA as it changed my from 100% disabled to 50 for several years. In 1995 the VA finally came to the conclusion they were wrong, and gave me the 100% service connected award. At 76 I have spent several years total in the hospital, this last year was over 100 days.
What gets me is men my age that somehow got out of serving during 1965 to 1975.

It depends on the individual. Are they mature enough to take on that responsibility? A lot has changed since 76 when I joined and 85 when I got out. I was put in for the E-6 board at 4 years 9 months. Which at that time was the soonest you could go. The time limit was at least 5 years at that time, however you had to wait for promotion 3 months after you passed the board, therefore you would be promoted on the month of your 5th year. I joined at the age of 17 years and 16 days old. That means I was put up at the age of almost 22. Thepint system at that time for my MOS was very high so I had to wait a year and a half more to get promoted. 23 anda half I finally got my stripe. There were MANY 23 year olds I would have never put up for promotion at that age. Example, when I was on recruiting duty a very young E-6 who was single couldn't keep his "johnson" in his pants and was court martialed for "doing a female senior who was in high school".

I always have had the hardest time with SSgts in their mid 20s. They seem to enjoy the power way too much and have a lack of control, sort of "just because you can, doesn't mean you should". Besides noticing it in person, I've noticed on here, the most disrespectful posters have usually been SSgts.

Well, I'm not too sure if I should be answering this or not, but here goes. The answer off the top deck is yes. There are several reasons for this. Experience comes to mind. The longer you're in the more mistakes you will make, and those mistakes make you wiser and help you guide the young POs. "ASK THE CHIEF"! There is a reason for that comment; he is a teacher, he knows more work arounds than Carter's got pills, he has a vast network of other Chiefs, and most of all he has command respect from the Bridge. Let me ask you a question. In a combat situation when your ship is in dire straits but still fighting and you need someone you can count on and who has been in the fight before, will you choose the Red Stripe Chief or the Gold Stripe Chief with that crusty nasty cigar hanging out of his mouth? I'm "old school". Next to the "Old man", who do you think really runs the boat, Right, it's the COB. Did you know in the Coast Guard there is so much respect and confidence in Chiefs that O-in-Cs have UCMJ authority, and they are Commanding Officer's Afloat? Few know that. Why do we have Gold Badges for Chiefs only and not officers? Where do we select the CWO community from? There is a sound foundation behind the value of "Old Salt". As for my head swelling two time larger than a bollard when I made Chief, the Chief's Mess had an answer for that; Chief's Initiation, the purpose of which was to deflate that oversized head of yours, refocus what your real function at the junction is, and to take with pride when someone says, "GO ASK THE CHIEF". Long answer to a highly philosophical and leadership quandary, but it demands not a snap answer, but one of thought and this one really is only the tip of the iceberg. As a sea service, the Navy and Coast Guard are steeped in naval tradition which we inherited from the Royal Navy in the 1700 and 1800s, which at that time ruled the waves until we came along. Who do you think was responsible, some Dandy on the Quarterdeck or some crusty scared up Leading Bosn on the main deck? Who do you think the crew would follow? My only regret is that the Chiefs' Initiation has become nothing more than a soiree and does nothing to strengthen the community nor deflate those swollen nobs on their shoulders. There is value in the comradery in the Chief's Mess of which there are many and varied.

I is not unheard of but it is the person and and their abilities which come with time and training. You can be book smart and a go getter but that alone doesn't make you a leader. I made E 5 in four years and E 6 in eight years. Leaders will be made, stripes mean nothing if you cannot lead.

I made Petty Officer 1st Class (E-6) in just under 6 years, which was considered fairly fast in the Navy at the time. I took the test for Chief (E-7) on a waiver for time in rate and time in service, but was not selected by promotion board so I got out with just under 9years active duty.

I only saw one sailor while I was in that made E-6 faster than that and he was an electronics instructor at NATTC Memphis with a degree in Electronics (and he was about the same age as I was when I made E-6, 24). He was promoted to E-6 in 4 years (and it was under special circumstances with numerous waivers).

I remember as an E5 SGT in the Army years ago. There was this SSG who had been in for 3 or 4 years. He too as some here have stated, had a big head. Being younger than most other E5’s and E6’s, he didn’t have the experience we had. Consequently he didn’t receive the respect he demanded, because all the soldiers realized he didn’t have a clue. He hadn’t developed his leadership skills, his military social skills nor his technical skills. He was essentially a lost soldier, a week leader and was having a very difficult time. Having more years behind me, more experience, I pulled him aside and gave him the constructive criticism others wouldn't give him. I didn’t see him again after that deployment, but I would like to think my input help him going forward in his career.

Yes, as far as the US Army, you have to be a highly motivated soldier with Air Assault, Airborne, EIB, Pathfinder, Ranger, SF or any other types of what have you badges and tabs. Then, you'll make E-6 or E-7 really fast!

They are promoting young soldiers too quickly to become Sergeants without training them and giving them responsibilities of taking care of their soldiers and teaching them how to perform proper counseling and NCOERS.

I don't know what the TOS is now,I've been retired many years but in 3 years is simply too soon. Those individuals usually have a chip on their shoulders and it affects everyone under him/her. I'll take a leader that moves up by his bootstraps anyday