How does an E6 have 6 service stripes?

I knew a Warrant officer w-6 who wanted to return to the regulars ranks. He had 5 service slashes as an E6. Just saying

As a retired E6, I can answer that question directly. Promotions in the 95B career field were slow, but turned near impossible when between 91 and 93 the Army was in a "draw down" reducing everybody. During those 3 years less than 1% of promotables were selected each year for E7. The soldiers with recruiting or drill sergeant were selected first...I had neither having worked "where the rubber meets the road" instead. Finally, in my last 6 months I had a line number which required I extent to get promoted and the stay 2 more years to retire at E7. I declined and retired at 20 as an E6 to continue my law enforcement career. I am now 8 months from retiring again after 27 years with my department. That's 47 years of law enforcement total and I think I "earned my stripes". To all my soldiers, I was totally dedicated to..."Stay Alert, Stay Alive".

In some military jobs (all branches) it can be tough to make it from E-6 to E-7 (and in the case of Navy Chief Petty Officers, E-7 to E-8). Mostly because there are a lot fewer slots at the next grade (compared to other MOS’s), so it’s pretty competitive. My son retired at 20 years as a E-6 (Air Force). The Navy seems to be pickier about what they call “high tenure,” i.e. way too much time at a certain grade (I was an E-4 when I got out so I don’t know if it’s like that in the other branches). It’s an up or out type of thing. That happened to a friend of mine. He didn’t make Senior Chief (E-8) so he had to retire. Hope this helps.

I was a 63B20H8 and I was medically retired at just over 13 yrs. Some MOS's are tough to get past E5 due to cutoff scores. And BTW I have 4 service stripes and 2 Combat stripes

Back when I was an Army NCO, you used to have to earn E-6. Personally I didn't make it until I was in for 13 years. Now they pass out rank like candy, if you're in the right MOS.

I don't understand what you’re getting at but yeah, it means that he’s been in for at least 18 but no more that 21

I'm not sure if this is trolling, because as a SPC you should know how service stripes are attained. Hell, we could ask the same question of a SPC who has been in 6+ years and not made SGT. With simple math, this SSG has greater than or equal to 18 years or less than 24. The fact that someone has not been promoted does not convey the entire story. This SSG has been overseas multiple times and has served a significant portion of his life. We complain when people get promoted too fast and we complain when people don't promote fast enough. One of my best friends is a SFC who has been in 3 months longer than I have. The Army promotion system has failed this NCO who is an OUTSTANDING leader of Soldiers. But that is a story that hits a lot of folks who have been passed over for promotion. Instead of asking others this NCOs story and kinda putting him on blast. Ask that NCO why or other NCOs why they feel they haven't been promoted. You'll hear varying tales of the greatness of the Army promotion system or the lack thereof.

Same way a CSM doesn't have a combat patch in 2021.

Those of us who served understand that if a MOS is no longer critical, promotion slots are slow or not at all. SSG run the Army under the eye of MSG/1SG. If you breathe it may be the fault of a SSG lifer. That is the full complete answer.

No surprise, o know quite a few hard working nco’s who were in a limited MOS forcing them to retire at 20 as a SSG. Nothing to see here.