How does an E6 have 6 service stripes?

Either that or odds are did a long time in the reserves or NG before going active. I worked with an SSG at Airborne school that had 20+ years

Are you eluding to Retention Periods? To answer question yes that is 18 years of service stripes. I maybe missing something in your question. Not all factors are known. But will research SSG TIS requirement and update I know SP5 (P) that retired in 90 or 91 with 20 years. Table 3-1. Retention control points


Rank

Total active service in years

PVT-PFC 3
CPL/SPC 10
CPL/SPC (Promotable) 15
SGT 15
SGT (Promotable) 20
SSG 22
SSG (Promotable) 24
SFC 24
SFC (Promotable) 26
1SG/MSG 26
1SG/MSG (Promotable) 30
CSM/SGM 30

Notes:
1. The RCP for soldiers in the ranks of SSG(P) and above who are assigned to special bands (West Point Band, The Army Band, The Fife and Drum Corps and the Army Field Band) differs from the above table. They are: SSG(P) and SFC 30 years; SFC(P) and 1SG/ MSG 33 years; and 1SG/MSG(P) and CSM/ SGM 35 years.
2. Command sergeants major serving in nominative positions when the commander is a GO are authorized retention beyond 30 years. These soldiers will not be retained beyond 35 years of total active service
is online:

I don't know, I retired with 23 years as a staff sgt so walk easy. In my MOS i only knew of about 5 e-6s that picked up e7 in about 7 years. Choose your MOS wisely

He did not make E-7 yet and may never. Not every E-6 makes E-7. Some guys get in trouble. Some guys just have a bad or even mediocre career. Some guys just don't distinguish themselves enough. Some guys do great but fall through the cracks. Some guys have MOS's that don't have good promotion rates. There are any number of reasons that E-6's retire as E-6's and not all of them are bad. This happens... a lot. I don't understand your confusion.

One of the squad leaders in my unit recently retired, he never wanted to become an SFC. I don’t know whether he had any Article 15s or anything else, but from what I know, he simply didn’t want E7. There are its few who just wish to stay with the people instead of moving through the ranks.

Who cares? The presumption is he has integrity. He gets the benefit of innocent until proven guilty like everyone else. His supervisor will know, that's all that's important

I have 20 years in as an E6. Its because mistakes were made along the way getting here.

Once upon a time (late 60s -mid 70s) EOD soldiers had a hell of a time getting promoted...and their pro-pay score was ridiculously high. It was even worse in the Air Force. Your high tech equipment was usually crimpers (that you bought commercially. Issue stuff was trash), a TL-29 knife and if you were lucky a Camillus boy scout knife. Many retired as SSG. How times have changed ! Point being -where you are in the "system" depends a lot on your MOS and what the "system" wants. It says nothing about your performance as a soldier and your service to the country. We serve and have served proudly!

While serving in the Marine Corps I met a Marine that had prior service in the Army (4 yrs) and also in the Navy (4 yrs) in theory if he served 20 in the Marine Corps and retired a SSgt he would have 28 years in service and 7 service stripes. I think something like that should be admired not criticized.

I knew a good gunny that topped out at gunnery Sgt in 86 he got out in 96 gunny after 26 years