How does an E6 have 6 service stripes?

He served his country for at least 18 years. I served 13 years 5 months and got out at E5.

How is this a question? The HYT for active duty E-6 is 20 years for all branches. My LPO is a First Class and he hits 20 years later this year and will retire; he's never been to Mast and is an expert in our field; I would be willing to bet that the SSG in the picture is, too. It almost seems like the "question" was meant to insinuate that the SSG in question is a dirtbag for not achieving higher rank in 18 years.

Reading assignment for the month AR 600-8-19....ready...execute

could be a 100 reasons, not everyone has a straight line, change a MOS, Get an Article 15 for something, get demoted OR just be in a very technical MOS with extremely high points. possible he started off in the reserve or NG, I have friends that sat on the Promotion list for 3 years. his uniform looks good, don't assume he's a dirt bag your time in the service will be complicated. you will understand what im saying after the first few times you get screwed over for something minor!

Because the rules changed. I retired as an E-6 with 21 years then after I retired the big Army changed the rules for the draw down.

Couldn't agree with SSG Kemp more. It's perfectly fine to retire as a SSG. I probably will in about 3 years, and I'm fine wth that. E-6 with 18 years in? Standard data...

MUSTA BEEN BUSTED AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER

General letter of reprimand will do it too. I've known a lot of really good NCO's that did something stupid as a specialist or something and got a DUI. With E-7 promotions done at DoA, it's not uncommon. E-6 to E-7 isn't particularly easy, some might equate it to Captain to Major in the officer ranks, 65% of all officers are Captain and below.

Could be like me 3 years in the USAR or NG before going active

I had a pretty nice stack, lol I was an E5 P when I got out. However sometimes you get stuck behind people who will just NOT RETIRE. Therefore you just keep chugging along.