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

During the Viet Nam conflict, I went from PFC E-3 to Sgt E-5 in 3 months. Things tend to happen quickly in combat. 4 months later, I was offered a commission, which I elected to turn down as it meant a guaranteed return trip to the "Party Uncle Sam " was hosting.

Depends on your MOS or Rating. Sure, being a subject matter specialist is important but with advancement in Rank usually comes with the price of Leadership. And Leadership is a tangible characteristic. That is where success is either achieved or not.

Spec. 4 in less than 5 months . It happens when ur not a dummy and take Aviation school at Ft. Rucker serious . 6 out

Every LT that wasn't prior enlisted made rank too fast.

drafted 1966 corporal in about 6 months thru drill Corp school SGT E-5 in 11 months they had E-6 orders cut I just had to re inlist declined at 24 months

Making rank is a good thing but the hard work without experience will be earning the respect the rank deserves. Never expect respect if you have not first given it.

Yes, because I knew a push-button Third class who made 1st class and had no leadership skills. He used his crow to boss and not lead. It took a Senior Chief to put him in place. Under command orders he had him work under a long-serving second class for 6 months to teach him leadership skills. Did he learn? I would say yes, because he would have never made it into the officer's corp.

Making rank to soon is not appropriate and doesn't comply with-in PROTOCALL. Time line between each grade should be enforced and not advance before that time. The reason for the time lines is to gain experience and knowledge in their MOS / RATING field to include administrative duties. Like writing Evaluations, Giving & Receiving orders and writing reports. Each advancement comes with more responsibly. I remember seeing Sailors fresh out of boot or A / AIT school as E4's to E5's that is still wet behind the ears and have no idea about Fleet Duty. But they want to be a bad ass know it all leader when lower grades had a year or more under their belt on Fleet Duty. They was frond up on. Over all I think it hurts the moral and the service. There is one other way a person can be advanced, is through Frocking by a Commander because a Billet needs to be filled but time in grade must play a roll. The final approval has to come from D.C..

Making rank to soon is not appropriate and doesn't comply with-in PROTOCALL. Time line between each grade should be enforced and not advance before that time. The reason for the time lines is to gain experience and knowledge in their MOS / RATING field to include administrative duties. Like writing Evaluations, Giving & Receiving orders and writing reports. Each advancement comes with more responsibly. I remember seeing Sailors fresh out of boot or A / AIT school as E4's to E5's that is still wet behind the ears and have no idea about Fleet Duty. But they want to be a bad ass know it all leader when lower grades had a year or more under their belt on Fleet Duty. They was frond up on. Over all I think it hurts the moral and the service. There is one other way a person can be advanced, is through Frocking by a Commander because a Billet needs to be filled but time in grade must play a roll. The final approval has to come from D.C..

the only people I knew that made rank that fast were people that made E4 right out of A school. I was a non rate seaman that made E4 in two and was up for E5 in a little over 3 but by now I was in the reserves and wasn't go to continue once my obligation was up. But E6 in three is real fast