What holds more weight an E-5 in a E-6 position or a E-5 with more time in grade? Also should the more senior E-5 be in the E-6 position?

Sgt, i would say an e-5 to e-6 position is weight in more then e-5 with time in grade.

I was only an E5 for 4 months when I was put into an E7 position because the three other E5s (that have been easy fives for 4+ years) didn't want the responsibility of being in charge of 46 other SMs. But then whenever one of them messed up (in regards to the same issue for the fourth time) and it came time for me to counsel them they want to start trying to throw their rank around, I believe if they wanted to pull rank for any reason they should've done it when it was time to take the leadership position in the first place....

So I believe position outweighs TIS, but when it comes time to correct someone they won't see it that way…

The E-5 in the E-6 position. It shows that his leadership trusts him in his ability to train, mentor, and guide soldiers.

Knowledge. Played that game for a lot of years. The key is, that your chain of command sees that you have the knowledge to get the job done and hold the position. I always told my Soldiers, that they didn't want my job, they wanted the job of the guy/gal over me. As I always wanted the job two above me. Know your job, and get to know the jobs above you, but make sure you can still handle the job below you. Nothing worse than a leader telling a Soldier how to complete a task, they don't know how to complete themselves. Ask yourself, if the PLT SGT, Section SGT, Squad Leader disappeared, and the CDR or 1SG came to you and said, I need a status, report or update on this, what would you say? Worst answer, "I don't Know."

Additionally, if a SSG comes in or the other senior E-5 makes cutoff, don't take it as a slap to the ego, if they take over. Let them know you are there to support. Believe it or not, the chain of command will see it and will still use you as a go to guy.

If you are asking about a career move to an E-6 position, then go for it! Will definitely boost your knowledge and will simply make you better. But if you personallyfeel as though you need to master being an E-5 first because you are newly promoted, then stay put. Nothing wrong with that at all. All depends on your abilities and your willingness to step up to the plate. But personally I would take the opportunity and step up. When I first pinned on E-5 straight to a BN S-2 NCOIC position I went, which was a SSG position and I turned out just fine. And I didn't receive an OIC for two more months. I loved it. Now for as far as a senior E-5 taking the position, that's the logical thing to do. But if the junior E-5 shows much more promise and potential, then I would give the position to him/her instead. We are promoted into higher positions based off of our trustworthiness and potential to take on more responsibility, not how senior we are.

The E-5 that can lead.

I held an E-6 Squad leader position when a E-6 had arrived my 1SG asked me what would I like to do? He offered me the position of being the Training NCO since I was a senior E-5 (P). This actually worked out for my good. I eventually did get promoted to E-6 and being the Training NCOIC was a far greater responsibility then being a squad leader so I won. I said all that to say this the E-5 holding the E-6 position clearly was more responsible and obviously doing a good job in the E-6 position.

Position will always hold more weight. If two Sergeants are in the same squad the squad leader is overall in charge and responsible for all the actions of the squad including the NCO.
Your second question is trickier. The common answer not looking at anything but time is yes. But positions can be based on rank, experience and several other factors. The flip side of this if the lower TIG sergeant cannot rate the other ones performance due to his seniority.

The E5 that's in the E6 position. If the senior E5 was the man for the job, then he would be in the spot. Seniority does not equal proficiency.

I was there I was an E5 in an E6 position I was 20 years old and my division officer went looking to replace me because I was to young