How does an E6 have 6 service stripes?

There was a time in the army, maybe still, that MOS’s were full. And due to the promotion points so high, some Soldiers even great Soldiers could not get promoted due to no vacancies for E-7 at the time for his or her MOS. I knew a Soldier who was in 19.5 years as a SSG and didn’t pin SFC until he had already submitted his retirement. He stayed the additional 3 years so he could retire as an E7. Do think anything bad of a Soldier just because it’s hard to get promoted.

I spent my entire Army career as a technician. First as a Pershing Electronics Specialist (21G) and then as TMDE (35H). Promotions came slow. At one point, I had 960 of a possible 1000 promotion points and STILL I couldn't get promoted. If you aren't in one of the combat MOS's, odds are pretty good that promotions may not come as quickly. . .

A stagnant mos, I saw specialists retire in the early 80s

POSTED, EDITED "4 YEARS AGO" There is NO VALID REASON, nor CHEAP EXCUSE to repost this trash. To whomsoever reposted this title, please leave this invaluable site to real issues. No one was appointed as the neighborhood fence gossip. - who has no idea of this person's experience, expertise, nor personality. But we do know a bit about someone else...you, ourselves, family, friends and companion.

I have a friend who was a DS on active duty. He has been an E6 for a minute because he opted to extend which to people not familiar would look like he took too long to promote. In truth at that time you didn’t have to make career progression if you were on the trail. He’s got a very nice service record.
Everyone has their story.
I have more service stripes than some E4s on active duty, I had a medical issue that took a while after a Back surgery to resolve causing me to be a PFC a bit longer than I’d have wanted.
Everyone has their career and their individual accomplishments. Some just take different paths.
It seems to me SSG Kemp has provided a very solid answer.

My experience has been for some NCOs it is the job satisfaction. I know quite a few NCOs who love their job so much, they are willing to turn down a promotion to stay where they are. The benefits are obvious, institutional knowledge is passed on and the unit has stable middle leadership. When they do take that well deserved promotion, most I have talked to felt it time to move on. They knew they trained the next leader and they were ready to go to the next level. I benefitted from this type of mentoring and made me a more effective leader.

PFC O’Hara
Why does it matter to you why anyone has anything? You mind your military career and let the SSG mind his. Questions of this aptitude are like gossip. It’s neither honorable or respectful and comprises your integrity.
SFC Cynthia Eyer, Retired

I was one of those SSGs. I got promoted and am now a SFC with 25 years. Its not all consecutive, i did 7 years reserves too. No Ive never had an ART. 15. Any more questions?

I recently asked a writer a similar question about his rank. The response was that it was very difficult to obtain promotions in his MOS.

Racial discrimination, blowing the whistle on seniors doing the wrong thing and denying promotion, UCMJ, Article 15s, fraudulent promotions getting reduced...I've seen all of the preceding and experienced two of them personally.