How does an E6 have 6 service stripes?

A lot of factors to consider.. Reserve time, he may have been demoted, by the can do 20 years as a E6

I have 6

I've known NCO's who attempted to avoid the best rank intentionally too because it becomes more political the higher up you go. Many of our sister services make a huge deal about E7, it's the first time you're called a Senior NCO. The army unfortunately hasn't kept up with that tradition. Could be personal choice, drawdown, or points holding him back. Glad you're curious, and I agree with many. There is no shame in the service he has provided.

In the Navy 6 stripes represents 20 years, 4 years per stripe, so it's possible

18 years is not unusual as you've read. You should not look down on that, He has plenty of overseas time, not obese , I would say that like most, his job was more important to him then furthering his rank. In today's military there are too many Sr NCO's with little practical experience, back in the day, you had to know and master each level, not just have college! I know in my MOS they are limiting E7 and 8 slots. Work hard master your trade, proficiency is a plus that can save lives, rank just pays the bills.

I agree with SSG Terry Kemp. I have 27 years (almost 28 years) in the military. I dare you to look at my uniform and say, "He's only a Captain and he's been in over 20 years?". Yes, but before I was commissioned, I was a Sr. SSG working at a MSG level. I have consistently held positions two to three grades above my rank.

Some MOS don't offer much in the way of advancement beyond SSG. It's unfortunate, but that's the way force structure works. There is a system called SELCON (Selected Continuation) and another called "Sanctuary", where people who have more than a calculated number of years who will not make promotion to the higher grade based on their MOS or their age when entering (Officers) are permitted to stay in until they reach 20 years of service and are, therefore, allowed to retire. Each has different rules.

So, this PFC asked an honest question. The rules of retention have changed over the last 20+ years. What he knows now, and the environment he has been brought up in, give him that basic knowledge. Like everything, there are exceptions to the commonly known in the terms of "today".

Some MOS have slow promotions or no promotions, Some NCO's hove slow promotions or slow promotions, Some NCO, even lose a stripe before they retire. there are many opportunitities, way to many to jump to conclusions.

Hello I just retired I'm March with 7 service stripes. I have just alittle over 23 years of service. I retired as a SSG. So not that hard to figure out. Sometimes it's just like that.

I'll make it easy for you... Mind your fucking business and worry about your own career progression.

Like others have said, there is nothing wrong with being a SSG for an extended period of time. My father retire as a 38 yr old SSG and had plenty of opportunities to be promoted while we were stationed at Ft. SAM, but he chose not to uproot his family after being settled in one place for more than 7-8 yrs. The Army gave him a choice and he chose the stability of his family, in part so his oldest son (me) could graduate from HS with his friends, over being an E7 in Germany.