How does an E6 have 6 service stripes?

I just watched an E-5 with five on a national network game show.

Look at the other arm?

After saving the image I blew it up as far as I could, looking at the lower row of ribbons, the center one and far left one (soldiers left), appear to be non federal, but I can't say that with 100% accuracy as the resolution is lost fast.

Because I can't see the picture in depth, I cannot make a determination on his ribbons. One or more may indicate service in the Reserves or National Guard, we have guys who are E-6's with close to 35 years in. This is not an issue in my humble opinion.

How does an E-4 not understand that?
Maybe we're due for a little training session...

When I retired in 2009, I was an E-5 with 7 Service stripes on my Uniform. Unfortunately I was in the National Guard and a Combat Medic. In the National Guard it is hard to make rank. It is usually accomplished by one of three ways, Someone retiring and opening up a slot, Someone dying and opening up a slot, or Someone getting promoted and opening up a slot. If there is no slots then you can have all the points and still not get promoted. And as for an E-6 with 18 yrs service on active duty, that is possible.

He’s a grunt!

He could also be dual service as I was. those service stripes translate over too.

He is a 35m...... it should say it all

I retired as a CPL (E-4) with 20 yrs, 26 days, I had 6 stripes (couldn't set myself up to return to PLDC due to various deployments, and Guardsmen have harder time to schedule classes due to personal life commitments). Not overall uncommon.