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

Some people are book smart and will pas the test the first try. But many times they don't know how to really run the shop in the real world, nor lead. Others of us that exceed in street smarts department and can't make rank fast, who should really be in charge, suffer.

It would seem to me, from reading the responses, that the answer is yes and no.

On one hand, the Navy wants to recognize EM with exceptional potential. If you get that lucky then you just might be able to make something of it.

On the other hand, however, the Navy's good luck could be your own bad luck. This would be true if you had no capability to handle being a CPO when it was given to you.

So, "No" being an exceptional EM in the Navy and being recognized for it could be the start of something really wonderful for both you and the Navy.

However, "Yes" because a very great deal of EM's need much more than just a few years to work out what being a CPO is all about.

I went to Viet Nam as an E-2 and made E-5 in 6 months, because there was no one else left for the slots. I was promised E-6 if I would extend for 3 more months, I turned it down, figuring I was lucky to live as long as I did. We did have some that went to NCO school ( shake and bake ) and came over as E-5, but because of experience most might be under an E-4 with more time in country, rank didn't mean anything, experience and time in country did.

I was stationed in Hanau Germany for my first overseas assignment. We had a Sergeant E-5 that was a UP (unit Police) guarding the gate. He asked aout getting promoted to E-6, and his commander laughed. The sergeant asked to go to personell to fill out his retiremeent paperwork, and was again refused. He went to our unit 3rd Armored Division artillery HQ to call in his retirement. Within a few days he recieved his retirement orders. He was promoted to O-7, and placed in charge of the Army reserve in Germany. He was a full Colonel during the Korean war, and was rifted back. He didn't appear as military as the officers thought he should. He had been wounded a couple of times, and just lacked that appearance. Don't judge an officer or an NCO by appearances, only by their actions.

After reading some of these comments I’m guessing most are from the more recent years. When I was active duty the service branches had a lot more manpower and consequently fewer promotions to go around, depending on the career field. When I went in I saw highly experienced technicians retiring at 20 years as E4 and E5. I made E5 in 4 years and was told that I was very lucky. I wore those stripes for the next eight years before a slot opened up for E6 for me. E7 came three years later. A slot for E8 opened up in ‘88, but I had turn it down so I could retire and spend some time with my Dad before cancer took him.
It seems that rank is just another thing they’re making easier in the military these days.

I made SFC (E7) in 7 years, 4months and 11 days, I was supervising people 10 years old than me at age 25.

I would have to say Yes. CSM Michael Sweeney said it perfectly. I don't think anyone joining the military say after high school is in any way equipped to handle that level of responsibility or accountability in any branch of military service.

Considering the TIS requirement for SSG is 4 years if you somehow manage to meet secondary zone requirements, no you cannot make E6 in 3 years. Even to do it in 4 is near impossible and nearly everyone gets there at 8 years at the earliest. From my experiance the average time frame seems to be about 10 to 12 years.

As long as the individual is willing to listen and learn and not get too big headed - then no, there is no issue with making rank too soon. Think about this - all Ensigns and 2LTs are too young and must listen and learn from their POs and NCOs along with fellow officers if they want to succeed and be respected.

I made E5 in 2 1/2 years, but that was back in the day. Just sayin.