How does an E6 have 6 service stripes?

Sometime points are very high and not many open slots. Were in my field and add in my specialty identifier it gets even narrower (95B-A9). Look at the right sleeve , think I count 8 there. So more than likely it is a itty bitty bottle neck to get through.

Not out of the ordinary. The Marine Corps has similar folks in the same situation. Slow-promoting MOSs, regardless of overseas or combat tours. I wouldn’t assume Article 15s or summary CMs either. At those ranks, they’re a bit more selective and harsh. Don’t think he or she would have made it even THAT far. Just stuck in a tough MOS where getting E7 is a real battle zone.

I want to add one more post here, My Uncle retired from the Army in 1971 as an E`6, did three tours in VN and a total of 21 years in the Army without being busted once, so lots of ribbons and hash marks. Very Possible.

I was in the Air Force for 11 years and got out. Twenty-six months later I enlisted in the Army. After six years the Army did away with my job and wanted to put me in one I didn't want. I got out then enlisted in the Navy and requested FMF duty with the Marines. Each time I switched services I lost rank. My service stripes touch my E5 stripes; the Navy lost my Army records and didn't find them until six years after I was supposed to retire so I was in 26 years

It seems a PFC does not pay attention.

How does it happen?
86-88, RA, 52D10, worked as BN Officer Management Clerk. ETS
88-90, USAR, 55B10, no 52D slots in my unit, I reclass.
90-91, Desert Shield/Storm as a 55B20 in Saudi Arabia.
91-93, USAR, go to school, become a 79D30, Battalion Career Counselor.
94 ETS
97, USAR,
1998-2000, 79S30, AGR Reserve Recruiter
2002, try one year in NG
05-07, NG, 79T30, Guard Recruiter
07-09, NG, 88M30
09-10, NG, Detainee Ops, OIF
10-12, NG, AGR Unit Training NCO
12-14, NG, 88M30
2015, Medically Retired US Army

6 MOS’s
13 years Active Duty
23 years Service

You never know someone’s path. You don’t know the why or how of behind the scenes.

You're right. 18/6=3years

PFC front leaning rest position then you can ask such an absurd question. As a PFC you are not worthy of an answer and you should remain confused too many variables could justify this soldiers time. I see blue crest but no cross rifles nothing else here to see.....carry on

This picture looks like it was taken right out side the theater in Colorado. Right after the welcome back and Operation Warrior Trainer (OWT) recruiting sale pitch. I was an OWT recruiter from Fort Lewis for 1st army back then. They look like the rear detachment people for their state helping with the welcome back event. The new soldiers that came to the unit and couldn't deploy because they got out of basic too late in the deployment and the salty SGG that took over the rear detachment at company level. Just a Guess.

When I was still active, my preferred rank goal at that time was to be an E-6. For me, I am a "Doer". I want to still be kicking in doors clearing buildings. I want to lead my squad in whatever task was assigned. To me, a "promotion" to an E-7 was actually a demotion. Anyone who has ever seen the movie, "K-9" with James Balushi, I considered an E-7 a "Paper-Pushing Pansy". Now, I'm not down playing their rank at all. They clearly, or Most Likely depending on their MOS, have already been there, done that. However, I was an Expert shot in Rifle, Pistol, Machine Gun (not that hard, lol), and Grenade Laucher. (Yes, I can... er, could.... shoot 8 out of 10 M-203's grenades THROUGH the window at the window frame/wall target 200m out.) I wanted to be able to actually DO the work. To be a SSG and retire, is not that out of the realm of feasibility, is it? Since I was Airborne MP, I have also been fed law enforcement, a fire fighter, Correctional Officer, and certified S.W.A.T. (graduated Top of Class). In my eyes, being an SSG is the highest rank of being a leader AND doer that you can attain.