Is there such a thing as getting promoted too quickly?

There is good research that shows that leaders who promote the fastest also kick Soldiers out the fastest. It takes time and experience to develop the tools to be a better leader. When you start out, you have a hammer. To a person with a hammer, everything looks like a nail; it either gets hammered in or yanked out. But, over time you add new tools to your toolbox and you become a more adaptive and dynamic leader

Not always. I know its uncommon, I was selected for SGM at 14yrs and as a sitting CSM I see a lot of peers that are much older and more experienced with a complete disassociated connection with their formation. It depends on the individual for sure. I have seen folks that prob needed more development at certain leadership positions as well. You cannot use common stereotype and apply it to all. There are good and bad apples. In a military society where promotions are desired and elite, there will always be the unsuccessful there to criticize.

I completely agree with you on this. I have seen far too many NCOs get promoted too early. I was a SSG before I commissioned. I often relate those that I work with with my experience. It was a different Army then. But there is a lot expected of NCOs and mastery at their levels. In comparing two PSGs that I have seen they were far apart with professionalism and development. One PSG tracked all of his PLTs equipment, maintenance, jump logs, and went to the range full prepared with all of the required PMI complete with score cards in hand to ensure the prep work was complete for each Soldier. The other PSG just showed up thinking they would just shot and call it day. The one platoon noticed the other was actually working through the correct sequence to qualify and track scores. The PSG that as prepared took other and helped the other Platoon. I wouldn't say the other PSG was bad at all. He wasn't developed and lacked the professional maturity required in his role. He was promoted on potential but that potential was never realized as performance. I do think that someone can fast track and promote quickly due to their potential quickly. I have see it work out and that NCO exceed. But this is a hard situation to deal with. The issue that I see is what I all generational decay. Every generation in the Army learns what is required of them. The issues is they really never pass down every tool they know. Give that a out 5 generations of replacements to a position in a unit then you will see what is expected of them is far less due to the loss of knowledge and Soldiers thinking they know enough.