How does an E6 have 6 service stripes?

Well young Man, I Retired in 1988 as a SSG with 20+ years and had no AR15s or any other problems.
I also did My time in Viet Nam.

BAD TYPE 0 2ND &1ST LT IN VIETNAM

I ONCE NEW A SGTMAJ I SERVED WITH IN THE U.S.MARINE CORPS THAT WAS PROMOTION IN HIS 16YEARS OF SERVICE IN VIETNAM HE WAS PROMOTED TO 2ND &1ST IN COUNTRY BUT HAD TO GIVE IT UP WHEN HIS TOUR OF DUTY WAS UP. NOT BAD @ALL

It happens. Many MOSs in the Army promote few people beyond E-6. Signal, Chemical, Medical, Finance, and Admin have all been traditionally slow promoting MOSs with few opportunities at the E-7 to E-9 level. I had 6 service strips at E-5 because I was Chemical (Signal and Artillery before that) before I went to OCS as a junior E-6.

I had 6 service stripes as an E-5. It happens, especially in the reserves and Guard. Even in the active component some MOSs just don't promote many people beyond E-6. People freak out when I tell them I've been in since 1985 and I'm only a major. Harder to make rank in the Guard, even though I'm active duty.

I have 7. Things happen.

It’s very possible. I’m going to show my age back before up and out( 1980s) there were many SGTs with 20 plus years of service. I agree with CSM it may simply be the MOS is slow to promote. It does not necessarily mean anything derogatory.

I retired as an E6 after 23 years of active duty. Some individuals are in slow promoting Miss's and some just get unlucky. Most E6s get passed over for E7 due to not being placed or rated I am E7 position. At least this was the case as told to me by numerous E8s and E9s. Upon my retirement in 2015, I had been the senior I lost SSG in the Army with 18 1/2 years on Time-in-Rank (pinned E6 Sept 2001). It can and does happen to those unfortunate NCOs out there.

When I joined the Army three decades ago, seeing a SSG with that many strips was very common and they were extremely proficient in their MOS.

First and foremost, it shouldn’t matter. That’s his career and journey that service member took. Should worry about your career and journey. His MOS could bottle neck, his career path with no standout assignments, trouble or bumps in the road, or simply that NCO was at his capacity or level and didn’t not demonstrate the qualities and attributes to lead at the next level or didn’t want it! Everyone is always concerned with the next man instead of themselves.