How does an E6 have 6 service stripes?

E6 is a respectable rank to earn. 18 Years in is a respectable time. This man deserves respect, not implied insults.

I spent 12 years as a SSG. It took me reclassing into a MOS that had room for promotion. My old MOS was deleted 2 years ago.

Don't know what you are trying to imply...but I knew many NCO's in the AF that may not have gotten the promotion, but were the best patrolmen that I worked with. They had the technical knowledge to do the job and were great at training others, but just couldn't test well or didn't care about . Hell, this SSG may have spent his off time getting a Masters Degree or even a PhD for his after military life.

If this is a concern, You would be surprised to see how many E-4’s E-5’s in the National Guard who have 18years. He may be Guard. Some Guard Soldiers dont always have the luxury to attend schools like active duty. Civilian jobs can sometimes play a huge factor. Besides deployments, the employers have rights under USERRA as well. Which can cause conflicts with professional growth.

BTW, it looks like the good NCO is attending a graduation with 4 of his troops.

maybe he doesn't recall how many stripes for each 3 years?

Without going through the 800 comments, he has to be promoted today or retire tomorrow.

Many rules for mandatory out was waved during the two conflicts of Iraq and Afghanistan. A fact of life for a voluntary Army.

Very possibly. I was a SGT E5 with over 12. It depends on the position and rank cap.

He's a fucking human resource assistant...lol guess his change of command failed him to explain Shit Rolls down hill