How does an E6 have 6 service stripes?

It depends on a great many factors as many here have stated. I'm in the air guard and an AGR. In my field you have to wait forever for someone to retire or quit before any slots open. So for those of us that means staying at a rank forever. Most E5's don't even get promoted to E6 before 12-15 years tis.

I retired from the National Guard as a Staff Sergeant.......I had eight service strips do the math. Alot of NCO's retire as E-6. I was in a mechanized infantry unit and enjoyed my position so what is the big deal. I wasn't in it for the money.

One of my soldiers is a Specialist with 17 years in the army. Yes. A specialist. He's not a shitbag by any means. He's actually one of the best soldiers in my company. If anyone deserves to be an NCO, it's him. Unfortunately he's just been in two bad MOS's that haven't offered any progression for him. They've been bad MOS's not having any slots available (to get promoted in the guard, you have to have a slot available.)

FYI Air force standard retirement pay grade is E-6 and you are only "somewhat" guaranteed e-5 at retirement for any branch. I say somewhat since if you kept your nose clean and served t.i.g for each rank you would retire as an e-5

I retired an E6. 7 stripes. Some MOSs are hard as hell to get promoted in.

I do not know if he's Active Duty or not, but I do know quite a few E-6's in the Army and Air guard that have 18-22 or more years in. Most guardsmen that stay in for a full tour usually don't retire until age 60. So sometimes you'll see some older E-4, E-5, and E-6's depending on the type of unit they are assigned and the promotion slots available for their MOS in their respective states. I have a close friend right now who is an E-6 with 23 years in. He passed over an E-7 slot back in 09 for an AGR position with his unit in the guard, in which they bumped him from E-6 back to E-5, because the job was posted open for E-5 only at the time. A few years later they gave him his E-6 back, and now he's can't get promoted again because the only E-7 slot for his MOS in the state is with another unit and it is currently being held by somebody waiting for an E-8 slot to open somewhere.

There are many possible explanations for his six service stripes. One example would be a Soldier that has prior service, and accepted a reduction in rank upon returning to duty. Best answer would come from the SSG himself.

PFC, you should go up to him and ask him.... you may end up getting the answer that you want... and having sore arms when he makes you kiss the deck.....

I have 4 service stripes as an E-4. I've maintained my skill set as a soldier and mechanic, kept the support of my chain of command as long as I could, but just couldn't get past my physical limitations and body fat to get promoted. I loved serving this country and doing my job. It didn't matter to me how long it took. This NCO clearly has the dedication and professionalism it takes to maintain his career. I'd leave it at that and thank him for his expertise, integrity, and service.

Because he wasnt a cook!

But seriously, because you cant be promoted into a position that doesnt exist. If the MOS has all its e7 slots filled the points will be high and no e6 will be promoted until a slot opens. The higher the rank the fewer the slots.