How does an E6 have 6 service stripes?

i did 20 years in the Marine Corps and i retired as a S/SGT and i know a lot of other Marines who retired as S.SGT and it was not fault of our own it is the way it happen in some of the MOS's And the question is coming from a PFC hell he still smells of boot camp

I had the same because the MOS I had was not promoting, read your regs and stop being a barracks lawyer

I've seen E5's retire after 20 years. Just beat your face PFC and mind your own business.

Nothing wrong here. Perfectly normal.

I retired a E-5 after 21 years not that uncommon certain MOS's are herd to get promoted in.

First off SSgts and above can retire at 20. It is a thing and isn't such an odd thing. I can't speak about this specific guys situation or why he has been promoted. That could be any many of things. Or his MOS doesn't promote well. Can't really speculate

I personally know of a 12 year specialist... So your point is invalid

As far as the SSG with 18 years, not unheard of at all and actually pretty common. Usually the MOS has very few slots available for E-7 and up. That being said, most NCO's retire E-6.

why are you concerned with the career of another Soldier, let alone an NCO? As a PFC you should be focusing on your own career and not why am E-6 has 18 years in and hasn't been promoted to E-7. There are various reasons this could be and none of them necessarily black marks on that NCO.

It is possible that he is a reservist. I had 32 years in the reserves and retired a MSgt (AF). Had over 10 years time in grade. Was an TSgt for 11 years prior to that. It happens. Slots go away. Compete with active force. Just the was it was.