How does an E6 have 6 service stripes?

Let's begin by addressing the Noncommissioned Officer by his rank and not his pay grade. Second, it's bothersome that his picture has been posted. Before posting, the first question should have been, " what Army Values are we displaying or going against when submitting this post on social media". With that being said, there are many factors that come in to effect, which have clearly already been addressed. We have a Soldier's Creed, we need to live by it.

Performance does not always equal promotion. Other factors, often outside the SM's control, influence promotion or lack of it. There are lots of men and women in every branch of the military who are stand-up, solid performers who, notwithstanding, have found themselves moving up the ranks slowly. We should look upon them with nothing but honor, because their service has been honorable.

It's easy for a PFC to ask questions like this. Bro, you haven't been to that level yet so how can you judge? Wait until you're a SFC before you start asking questions of SSG's. Does that make sense?

A SSG at 18 years ain't nuthin! During the first gulf war I met E5's with close to 20 years in the RA. Their MOS's were closed and no one was going no where promotion wise. Soemtimes it's not worth reclassing because the Army looses an experienced NCO who would be somewhat 'lost' with a new school trained MOS and no experience in that career field. One of my best Army buddies retired from the RA as an E5. All I'll say is he was in SOCOM in a support role and he was very good at his job.

Also, QMP might have put an end to it but it used to be as long as you maintained your promotable status you were retainable.

Okay, just like a PFC, stay in your lane

Don't worry about others just worry about you!

I can tell you my experiences when I was in the reserves- I'm old school so when I was an interrogator in the Army my MOS was 97E (I know its something different now, see I told you I was old school) There was only two of us for the entire State of Oklahoma...One E-5 and one E-4. The E-5 wasnt going anywhere, and I mean nowhere! But I loved my job, I really loved my job! So....I either remained an E-4 forever (by forever I mean until that E-5 died lol JK) or until that E-5 went somewhere else or I guess I could have transfered into another MOS. I dont know if this E-6 is active duty or reserves but hopefully that sheds a lil bit of light of how it can work in the reserves if they dont open up the rank structure within a certain MOS

He Could Be Prior Service Then Went Guard Or Reserve

You should be counting the hash marks on his other arm. It is unfortunate that you feel a sense of duty to question one of your brother's motivations to serve his (your) country. You probably don't ever want to serve with me! SSG with over 26 years of service! Stand down, Private!

Speaking hypothetically, someone who was prior service, separated as, say, an E5 then re-entered several years later as an E3, then worked his way up to E6. Went through 19D OSUT at Knox with a guy named Yow, who served in the tail-end of Vietnam. He enlisted in '84 with a waiver and had all of his awards from his prior service period, including service stripes and ribbons.