How does an E6 have 6 service stripes?

This is just a guess- it would be a better guess if I could see his uniform up close. You will notice that he also has 8 overseas service bars (each one is supposed to represent 6 months in theater). If they are legitimate, he may have been deployed so much that he didn't do ALC when he should have. He was able to pin on SSG but the SFC board would not have selected him to advance because of it. Or... as others have mentioned, he might have been in an MOS that is slow to promote. If it took him a long time to make SGT, then he probably just doesn't have the requirements to make SFC. Self-development and professional development often make the difference between the group that is selected for promotion and those who retire as SSG. I saved the least likely scenario for last- he got in trouble somewhere along the line and was reduced which is what has taken him so long to climb back up the ladder. Good leadership is preceded by good followership. So, PFC O'Hara, find yourself a good mentor who knows his or her stuff and has made (or is making) the grade. Good luck.

Wow I just got my SSG I am in one of the slow MOS's and in the Army Guard there are lots that can play into not getting SSG right away.. My MOS is 92Y. Most 92Y jobs in the Guard are AGR well some people don't want to be AGR so it takes time to get a rank. All my years are good years just the Guard promotes people different then active duty and reserves it's not all about time in grade and time in service their has to be a slot for you to move into.

He's got 6 service stripes because of any reason listed.

- SFC isn't as easy to attain that most would like you to know
- MOS points are high, it happens a lot with non-combat MOSs
- Maybe he didn't do the SSDs...who knows
- He was demoted to PFC and made his climb back, I know some that had this happen, even know a SGT that WAS a SFC shortly after Desert Storm and retired a few years ago

Point is, there are factors that you'll learn about the longer you're in. Just know that that's his career path and yours is only starting. The Army is a beast that'll make a 30yr old look like he's on the verge of 60, sadly not exaggerating if you're in a combat MOS.

Maybe he had a break in service, does it really matter? He is serving his country which is more than 90 some percent

I had over 30 years in the Navy (1977 to 1991) and in the Army National Guard (1992 to 2013). I retired as a SSG. So? You need to stay in your lane Cream Puff.

One reason may be he had a break in service.
Secondly, promotions don't come easily for some.
His rank and high service stripe count doesn't mean he isn't an outstanding nco.
His promotions politics could be weak.
I was that guy. I retired as a SSG. Some,my doing,some theirs.

He probably served a different branch before. Or he lost rank

The best 1SG I have had was a SPC for 10 years and made 1SG in 18. He didn't want to get promoted he liked that E4 life style until one day he decided it wasn't enough and he wanted more then he went out and got it.

I served with a man who exited the army as a SFC. He returned to service as an E5, and began the climb again. He had 6 or 7, and he was a great guy. He did look odd with all them service stripes though.

Uh I have one, let me see I retired as an SSG and that's 20 years. So maybe the answer is an obvious one and he's been in for at least 18