How does an E6 have 6 service stripes?

Many NCO’s only make it to the rank of SSG in the army & many retire as SSG’s. That isn’t abnormal or anything. The army can’t promote all NCO’s to SFC & higher ranks, there just aren’t enough slots to do that.

I am an E6 woth 18 years. Had a 9 1/2 year break in service

Not sure about Army but in Navy it could very well be because your rating is top heavy, no one getting out so no one is getting advanced, OR you could've been working out of your rate so when it comes to Advancement Exams you just can't score high enough to advance so it took long time advancing up to E6. Then again it could be due to being in the wrong place at the wrong time and losing a stripe.

Pretty simple actually, the E-6 could have gotten in trouble, lost a couple of stripes, then gained some back. When I Wes in the Corps it wasn’t uncommon to see an E-6 get busted down to an E-2

If you get stuck in slot that has no more opportunity for advancement, then you can change mos or stay in your slot!

I was a E6 with 6 service strips
And no I wasn’t POS or was busted
I know of many NCOS who gained rank to fast and struggle with the new responsibility
Myself if I made E7 I would have limited myself as a instructor which I loved doing
I retired as a E8 with 12 service strips which pretty much tells me I did it right and enjoyed every year I was in and Miss still today
What I don’t miss is smart ass private assuming they have all the answers

PFC, I am guessing that you are probably AC. In the NG or USAR, sometimes promotions do not come as frequently as a Soldier might like if schools are backed up (think COVID) or slots are few.

Good question coming from a private. I was a Marine for 22 yrs. So there is some stuff I can’t speak too, but I’d say start with the other commits, next I’d say keep your mouth shut and ears and eyes open. You will get the answer your looking for. Rank doesn’t always equity knowledge.

I along with all my fellow combat arms(tankers M1 Abrams) made at E5 in around 2 years, alot of the SFC E7 were Vietnam vets. Some of the MOS make slow rank like, Military Police and can retire with 20 years as a E6. I was in 82-86. You don't get a stripe for a certain amount of time in.

It’s a long story. I served 67 -71 and 88-2010. I made E6 in 1992. Open heart surgery 99. On Medical hold for 22 months fight Navy to remain. Lost my time in grade because of medical hold (very questionable). Passed test for Chief 8 times and Board Eligible. Sailor of the Year Reserve Center in SC. President of pO1 Organization, Chairman of Navy Ball (twice). POIC of Non-Prior Service Det w/o any senior staff. Photo from my retirement from Seal Team 18. 18 years as E6. Guess I lacked something. I was two month from turning 62 in this photo.
I finished what I started.