How does an E6 have 6 service stripes?

I am a SSG with 17 years in service. I was on active duty from 1991 to 1997. I also separated for 12 years and decided I missed it too much and re-upped. I've been back in for 7 years and my IRR time counts toward time in service. There are a lot of different ways people get credited with TIS. If that what his TIS is, then that's what he puts on his uniform. Don't judge a person because you think you know what has happened in their carreer.

Ok I got to weigh in on this. I have read many responses to this question and they all make some sense. It is not unusual for an E-6 to have 18+ years in the Army, My first Tank Commander was a SSG and he had 22 years in service. I would not have called him a POS if you paid me. He was an E-4 tank gunner during Desert Storm, and he chose his career path that would keep him on the tank line; i.e. non training/ recruiting just out on the tank with the troops. I myself did 8 and a half years prior to getting my stripes. I made Spc in 2 1/2. I had some pretty good NCO's who taught me that doing your job without seeking recognition was better than being one of those prima donna's who are looking for the pat on the back just for doing command maintenance. Yes I did receive an Art. 15, and yes I did lose my stripes, but I earned them back, became a DS. I was one of those soldiers that only cared about doing my job. I didn't want recognition for doing something that I was supposed to do anyway. I watched a lot of my peers do it and many get promoted over me, but when it came down to it I was the one that the soldiers worked hardest for. I didn't take the credit when things were good I gave it to them because they made it happen, and I took the blame when things failed because I was the leader. Sorry about the tangent but in my time I have seen some really great NCO's who did not care to check the block and were not just looking for a way to get to the next rank. Those were the one's that I learned from, the ones who cared more about doing the job, and taking a wet behind the ears troop under their wing. By the by I finished my time with the service 10 months ago and was only an E-5. I could have made SSG over ten years ago but I chose to follow a path that didn't promise me a promotion. I did two tours in Iraq, took my Art. 15, left Active Army for the Reserves, Earned my stripes back then finished my service. If I could do it all again I would be hard pressed to decide if I would do any of it differently except getting the Art. 15.

He`s in an MOS that is hard to advance because the numbers are high.

So your all upset about an E-6 with 18 yrs service... First, you know nothing about this individuals life... May he spent some time in the reserves or maybe he is Pryor service. The point is he can retire at 20 yrs as anE-6 I've seen it plenty of times. Some members don't always have the upward mobility as others.

Nothing to be confusing. He is just as human as everyone else got in trouble got demoted got promoted again. Could of happened a few times

Go pound sand PFC. Once you been in longer than 18 months maybe you will learn that some MOSs do not promote fast. Maybe he spent a few in the IRR where his time still counts towards time in service. Little PFCs like is you the reason I retired.

THIS NCO.HAS 18 PLUS YRS. EACH SERVICE STRIP IS 3 YRS

So I had this all fucked up. Navy does one stripe every 4 years so 6 would be 24 years. 6 stripes for an army SSG would be perfectly normal. It shows that the man has served over 18 years and is probably looking forward to retirement before the new generation comes up expecting that they'll be handed rank based solely on their time in service regardless of performance

E6 RCP lately has been around 20. 6 X 3 = 18, 18<20, what are your questions?

I have some article 15s in my life time. It was a little different back then but it doesn't make you a shit bag....The current climate seems to be if you have ever gotten in trouble you are dirt and deserve to be removed. I have to disagree with that process of thought. I man/woman can make a mistake and come back strong as ever. To believe people are infallible is to error. People are people and to believe someone does not have dirty laundry or has lived that perfect life is a farce.