How does an E6 have 6 service stripes?

I am assuming since you're now a Specialist you know the answer to your original question? I would hope you do by now, but just in case you don't, let me help you. The SSG in this picture Has a Ribbon rack bigger than your forehead! Also on his right sleeve you will notice that he has if i am counting right, 7 maybe 8 overseas service stripes.....some choose to never go above SSG....ever. Use to require B-NCO for 6s and A-NCO for 7. Then 1SG school...etc... He has at least 18 years in service but less than 21.

Each stripe represents the times he's paid your sister a conjugal visit-- After having served his country over 18 years of service. Beat your boots private! I said your boots, not your pisstola...

Stripes are not indicative of how many years have been served by a military member. Those are indicated by hash marks, worn on the sleeve. A person retires at the highest rank held. There are many circumstances why someone would retire as an E-6. A simple, "Thanks for serving our country," would suffice.

He could be NG or USAR and has chosen to stay in an E6 slot instead of changing units and driving to another location. This happens a lot in Guard units, sometimes it is more about serving with there buddies than career progression. Some of theses guys spend their entire military career together.

Hahaha…when I was in, you could retire with 20 at E-6.

exactly what it means. and the retention control point for an e6 has been 20 years for some time. in fact, it is possible that an e5 could also put in 20 years active time. very unlikely, but not impossible. i've seen it happen in my time. that being said, you have to keep in mind that times change, regulations adjust to the times. when I left the service, rcp for an e4 was 8 years. afterward it got changed to 10 years. times change.

Regardless of the reason this Soldier has 18 years at the rank of SSG is irrelevant. The fact that you refer to this NCO as an E-6 is insulting. E6 refers to his pay grade. One of my biggest peeves is Enlisted Soldiers who refer to themselves or others by E- whatever. You would never hear that on the Officer side of the fence. The reason is because rank is respected not pay grade. This Staff Sergeant has served 18 years how about thank you for your service you're part of small percentage of Americans to do this. And mind your business

He may be in the NG or AR.

Furthermore, it’s possible that the SSG has prior service. He may have prior service from the Army or from another branch. As an E4 I had 10 years service due to my prior service and IRR time. All of that time counts. You know don’t be afraid to use Google. You could’ve easily entered that question into the search engine and got the answer. Use your resources please. Better yet, make better use of the English language. Phrase your question in a better manner. Try a non condescending manner to be exact. No question is a dumb question. However, it’s the manner in which the question is phrased that makes all the difference in the world.

Seriously, it's one thing to ask questions and a completely different one to call out soldiers based on photos. Now I have been out a day or two but we may all be soldiers but we all don't do the same job and rank especially at the senior grades become tougher and is based on available positions not just qualified soldiers. As to E6 being the rank of most retired it is not it is E7. There are twice as many E7 retirees as E6 retirees. Let's get back to some real questions instead of trying to cut each other down. Those who serve comprise less than 2% of the population in the US.