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

Well, I made E6 in three years and nine months. I was a little young and some of the E sixes kinda resented me for a little while, but it all worked out good for me.

I slow rolled E1-E5 but made E6, Chief, & Senior Chief first time up. Was a senior chief at 12 1/2-13 years. I was still learning the previous rank when made the next. Got mouthy, big headed, and exhausted because I kept getting those hard assignments. I burned out. I had the thought of staying for 30 years, but at 19 put my papers in to retire. I was a Geo Bachelor, never saw my kids, wife was almost out the door. Let some friends from the bureau talk me into pulling my papers, because I was a shoe in for Master Chief, 2nd time up! Got a DUI the night I pulled my papers. The calls quit coming, I was actually relieved. I retired at 20 and started 2nd career been in Fed service for 18 years now. I believe I made it too soon!

I made First Class in 4 1/2... Chief in 10 yrs

In most cases it never happened during the time i was in however there is always a few slip up but they do not last long. You had to be recommended through the Chain of Command, Then your TIS And TIG was check and then you still had to attend a board of senior NCO's and you were recommended or not and the paper work had to be assigned by your local COC up to the BN level. Then every thing was forwarded in a packet. This was all on a point system if you did not make the points you did not get promoted. If you made it through every thing then you would receive orders. However if there was NOT an Open slot for you to fill local they would find a slot for you Army wide so you may see a promotion and transfer paperwork all at one time. Many MOS's Bottle necked as E-7 So you would finish your career With that rank.
National Guard and Reserves different rules Than Active Duty enlisted.

I enlisted in the Army as an E2 at age 28. Within four months of arriving at my first unit from AIT I was promoted to E3. Six months later I was promoted to E4 and went to Germany. Within six months I went to the Promotion Board and was recommended for PLDC . Two months later, after graduating PLDC, I received my E5 stripes. Owing to a number of favorable circumstances and my personal performance, too many to cite here, I became a “Big Man on Campus”. My First Sergeant asked me if I wanted a recommendation to attend the promotion board for E6. I was in my third year, specifically three years and Six months. I informed him of my intent to reclass upon reenlisting and felt I would rather get smart in my new MOS before taking on E6 duties.

So, yes, it is possible to reach E6 in three years. It is most likely for Soldiers who come in with some rank already, but the TIS/TIG requirements can make it possible for an exceptionally squared away Soldier to do it.

As a tree-hugging civilian and based on my 19 Delta’s experience, might the opposite also true? His miserable command at this first duty assignment would have likely helped nail Jesus to the cross, coming up with ever more imaginative ways to sap the energy of its troopers. After his PCS to Fort Drum, that command not only made sure he finally got his three stripes, but sent him to “Chair Assault” training. They even had him leading a squad of 19 Bang Bangs during a training exercise in Louisiana when 11-B Sergeant went down. Sometimes, getting “promoted behind peers” also has its virtues?

Greatly depends upon the individual. Some can handle it while others can't, generally because they lack maturity and experience. IMO the career field has a bearing on it too. Some are high pressure and require good judgment that only experience provides. Again, it's an individual issue.

Nope it’s how you apply yourself nothing else to it.

As a retired officer, I have strong feelings against rapid officer promotion, but for enlisted personnel, it is more about maturity. I am fine with an older, wiser person being promoted to E6 in a short period of time, say three years.

I know former Secretary of Defense under Obama Chuck Hagel only served two years in the Army and got out as an E-6 but he was also a highly decorated Vietnam War veteran and those were certainly different times.