How does an E6 have 6 service stripes?

Is it strictly that you are paid by grade or do years in service have an impact on your monthly wages?
Fifty-five years ago I'm pretty sure it was pay by grade. or jumping out of an airplane.
I worked hard for that $85. bucks a month as an E-1/2.. less life insurance and laundry.

Oh it’s army. I was going to mention red or gold)

He in a dead MOS where he coukdnt get promoted, i seen E-5s wit that retired at 20yrs

I will give you an example. I spent about 14 years in the Air Force Active and Reserve status. I took a break. When I decided to go back in, to hopefully get my 20 years in, for retirement. I left the Air Force with the rank of TSGT (E6).I went into the Army National Guards to finish out my time.
To do so, I was with an Infantry unit. Since I wasn't MOSQ, I lost a rank (E-6 to E-5) TSGT(USAF) to SGT(ARMY). From 1998 to 2002, I spent my time as an E5. When I was promoted to SSG (E-6), I stayed there until I retired at age 60, as a SSG. I spent a total of about 26 years in the Military. I was up for E-7 board, but by that time, I was nearing retirement and in the guards, its 60 and out..regardless of rank. Of course there are exceptions to the rule, but not to many exceptions.

I have an idea. Spend a little more time in the army, gain some experience, and the question will answer itself.

When I was a PFC in the Marine Corps, I KNEW that if I was called to Vietnam, as soon as I got there I was going to glue my ass to an E-5 over 18, because I KNEW that bastard was coming home!
There could be any number of reasons for the hash marks and rank. As you're a PFC, I hope you learn as you grow and you have a lot of work to do there.

I retired from the reserve components as a SSG. I also served in the US Navy active duty for 11 years and left the service to pursue a college education. My rank when I left the Navy was PO1 (E-6). When I joined the Army Reserve 9 years later, I had to work my way back to SSG. I served with distinction, received good evaluations, and was personally decorated in both services. Not everyone who joins the military rises to the top ranks either enlisted or officer. There are far fewer positions available at the top ranks than in the middle or at the bottom. It used to be possible to stay in until retirement at lower ranks than is possible now. Some people are happy with their jobs at a certain level. Everyone is different.

What a dumb question.

By serving in a field that has little to no promotion opportunity. Try this one - and Navy stripes are for 4 years. The O-6 was serving as the Chaplain that day; retiring officer was a 3 star who came to flyover country from DC for the event.

Yes, some of those NCO'S branch changed early in there career, and at the time the regs would take at least one rank for changing branch of service. And some had UCMJ that took rank, there are those where there's not many slots I've seen many motor sergeants, 88M transportation and heavy equipment engineers retire out as an E6 due to lack of slot availability.