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

That's pretty phenomenal, actually. I guess it varies across branches. I was in the Air Force 1980-1984. At that time the average non-commissioned retirement rank was E-6. It took a long time to make rank at that time, as there a LOT of people in service. In fact, I didn't even make NCO in four years. I was an E-4 Senior Airman, three months shy of making E-4 Sergeant when my active duty enlistment ended. In those days it took 27 months between E-3 Airman First Class and E-4 Senior Airman. That was just how it was.

That said, E-6 in three years, from my history and perspective, is wild.

I dunno. During Vietnam, as people died, people moved up. I was E5 in a year, whether I liked it or not. My army buddy teased me as "teen NCO." Now eople are dying for oil, and the kids are realizing WIFSP (War IS For Stupid People).

E-4P 3yrs and out. Would have got within 6 months. Depends on accomplishments but mostly MOS. Was 63N and 45N probably only one in the Army. Automatic at E-6

I began my career in the Army as a PV2 making E-5 in 18 months and E-6 six months later. I made rank too soon and then, I became a commissioned officer where I was challenged on a number of occasions. In hindsight, with more maturity, at the speed at which I was rising up the enlisted ladder, it is not farfetched to suggest that the objective of achieving the rank of SGM was not far off for me and perhaps I should have continued towards my set goal at that time. Essentially, making rank too soon can obscure your decisions.

I made E6 in 4 1/2 years and Chief in 10.

YES! it may sound not hurt every rating/MOS in any branch but it could hinder not only the individual but the immediate unit to which he/she is assigned. In today's military some things have changed for the better..some not. I recall my time as a senior Petty Officer First Class (E6). When I arrived in Newport News, Va for CVN71 precomm unit, I saw for "my" first time, Nukes. Now having previously been a recruiter, I knew that nuclear power fields required some pretty smart book worms. I don't recall having met a well-rounded, mature, ready to lead Petty Officer (E6). The few Chiefs (E7) I heard about through my chain where considered book smart but lacked in leadership. it was the talk of the day back in 1986-90. Honestly, I had E4s that could run circles around nuke E6s if given the chance.

Yes. Then,you gave limited room for growth and can get in over your heaf.

I often wonder that myself,when I got to my second assignment duty station FT.Carson,co. For me being a support mos 88m ( motor vehicle transport operator) and being assigned to 759th MPBN @ Ft, Carson . Just coming back from Iraq fresh E-4 specialist to be honest it was a struggle for that E-5 rank to become an NCO . I'm approaching 3 years in service. this time frame was around October 08 . And promotion points were maxed out, basically I needed 800 before I could see the rank of sergeant. Then there was this one soldier making their E5 sergeant as a first term soldier joined as a PFC like I did. They didn't even have 3 years time in service requirements for E4 to E5 and had no deployment but I did.. it came down to their mos and their really low promotion points 350. They were military MI . going on their first tour in the sand box going on my second. Was told I my had to consider do army 's reclassing to fill spots were the army was short on NCO's.

I would think the rarest of individuals would be promotable this quickly. It would be akin to a very young person going to university for an advanced degree. Perhaps if they came from a majority military family, they had common sense, learned quickly, and had a SNCO mentor early on, they may excel as a leader. Older soldiers who didn't get promoted would find it difficult to work for a much younger person. There lies a challenge to their authority that would need to be handled well to gain respect. During combat, a level-headed "leader" can motivate other troops to go above and beyond.

Yes I in fact was a "slick arm" PO1 CTR1 as critical rate at the time 1965 - 1968 cold war