How does an E6 have 6 service stripes?

That is actually one of my good friends. He is also one of the best ncos I've ever had the pleasure to work with. Not every job promotes the same, some are much slower and some are much faster. For instance, my current MOS is about 400% over strength at the E7 level. This changes every year, but basically the Army promoted too many people one year. I could be Top Dog and still not get picked up for Sergeant First Class. I have about 5 more years to go, so unless something drastic happens a promotion is unlikely. Don't judge people by what is on their uniform, we put too much stock in that as a military. At the end of the day it is just shiny stuff. The best ncos I've had in the past we're the best because of who they were and the things they did for their soldiers, not because of what pretty things they had to show off or the duty assignments that they lucked out on. The individual in this photo is one of the most dedicated and professional individuals I've ever known. I would deploy again with him in a heartbeat oh, I know that I can trust him decision making skills, and I have personally watched him care for and Mentor his soldiers. This is not the truth about everyone, and rank is certainly not indicative of those qualities. A PFC can be more of a leader than a CSM in some circumstances. Sure, it isn't the way it is supposed to be. We are supposed to promote the best. But it doesn't always work out either for reasons of number of people in that MOS, Duty positions, bad luck, good luck, bad branch managers, Etc.

Leave it to a PFC to ask a stupid dumb-ass question.

As a side note, I was in the Army in 1973, when they still SP5, SP6, SP7 and SP8 ranks. My MOS was 96B and promotion was a little difficult. I was Active Army 15-1/2 years, Texas Army National Guard 5-1/2 years as a 13B and Army Reserve for 5 years.

Well I retired as a E-6 after 21 years and have 7 service stripes.

That's a special kind of stupid question. To assume an NCO SSG retiring in that pay grade is a indication of failure is asinine. Grow up.

In the infantry at least, E6 is the best place to be
you're a squad leader. You have authority. you're respected among senior leadership. you're still in the action.
Once you make E7 you're basically pulled away from the fight. I've been in an E6 slot for 2 years now and its literally the best position I've had in my career. I plan on staying here till my body breaks.

Platoon Sergeant takes more of a administrative/planning role. and in the SBCT organization, 7 never dismounts.

The confusing thing is how are you a PFC questioning service stripes without reading a regulation or asking the SSG so you can get clarification. You are a PFC so let me school you. Before 9/11 if you retired as a SSG you made it; if you made SFC that was extra. Some NCOs has progressed based on the old criteria which was better than what we have going on right now. You think it is cool to see a 4 year SSG, maybe if they are truly squared away tactically and technically which now a day's is rare. For all these thumbs up you all really need to go back and reevaluate the reason you are in the Military, because you the future STRIPE WEARERS are the reason why some refuse to get promoted so they just ride it so they can reach 20 and retire as a SSG. You feel entitled as a PFC to question service, you are the problem.

Not sure about the army....but for naval service many rates (MOS in land speak) promote as slow as molasses in January. Not uncommon to see an E6 with 18 years waiting for a shot at 7.

He also has 8 overseas combat hash marks. I don't care if he was an E-4 with 18 years in, he's OK. I can't tell what kind of collar brass or other badges he has but some MOS's are damn difficult to make rank in. And maybe he's in the Guard or Reserve where you can't move up until a higher slot opens up. Maybe he spent ten years in the Navy before getting smart and going Army. IDK and I don't care.

Someone help me on this... I seem to remember that at some point. long past,(the 1960's) an E-6 wore five stripes. It designated SFC ... It was something that was grandfathered in... I don't remember the specifics... Like I said, I need a little help on this....