Is 22-23 too young to be an e6?

2021-03-10T23:03:37-05:00

Is this age too young to be a good upper leader?

Response by CW4 Keith Dolliver made Mar 10 at 2021 11:14 PM

2021-03-10T23:14:45-05:00

Is it too young, as in impossible? No.
Is it too young, as in effective? Usually, but not necessarily.

When I was enlisted, we had a 23 year old E-6 in our unit. He was very good at his job and I personally thought well deserving of early promotion. However, there are a lot of good leadership qualities that come from maturity and that only comes with time. Certain things you simply can't teach. I was personally a 20-year old E-5 and, while I was proud of my accomplishments, I didn't truly realize until years later that I was probably too young to actually be a Squad Leader.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2021 11:19 PM

2021-03-10T23:19:11-05:00

From what I’ve seen most e-6 in that age could do there job however it was hit or miss some where great leaders others where heavily power hungry.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Mar 10 at 2021 11:20 PM

2021-03-10T23:20:33-05:00

No but it will be challenging. Anyone that makes E6 has the required Army knowledge per Army requirements, they are just missing life experiences. You have to grow up much faster than your peers and it could be a lonely world. A 1SG in their 30s should be able to guide in the life experiences and help one catch up.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Mar 10 at 2021 11:45 PM

2021-03-10T23:45:17-05:00

It depends a great deal on the person and situation. Some service members get E6 very early in their career due to technical prowess. They may not have to demonstrate mature leadership capability. Others have both the technical and leadership abilities normally found in slightly older, more experienced service members. At 23 a service member who joined at 17 has 6 years experience, but a college grad who joins at 22, instant E4, won’t have enough experience in a year or so to be an E6.

I saw early promoted officers move into positions of responsibility at the Squadron level before they had the needed experience. They stood on the shoulders of more experienced but lower ranking officers to succeed. If they were smart they knew it and retained some sense of humility. Many didn’t.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Mar 11 at 2021 12:12 AM

2021-03-11T00:12:50-05:00

Nope. All depends on the person and their attitude, abilities, knowledge, drive and leadership and what they bring to the table. I know people that are younger than that and have great leadership potential and are respected and conversely I know much older people that really should have never gotten the stripes and position they have now.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2021 12:38 AM

2021-03-11T00:38:24-05:00

Age is irrelevant in the army for some cases. If the person has the maturity and ability to hold the responsibility of a SSG, I'd say no. It might not give the person credibility with some who hit that rank and ride it out to retirement, but I usually don't pay that crowd much attention anyway.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2021 2:03 AM

2021-03-11T02:03:06-05:00

That's the general age of a newly minted 2LT fresh out of college

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Mar 11 at 2021 6:13 AM

2021-03-11T06:13:20-05:00

It is not about age. It is more to do with displaying ones abilities in their technical craft , while exhibiting the ability to lead, train and care for Soldiers. Age does not directly translate to maturity, nor is it a marker that is considered in promotion.

This is a much deeper topic and I could be on all philosophical, the simplicity encapsulates your answer.

Response by CPT Nicholas D. made Mar 11 at 2021 6:31 AM

2021-03-11T06:31:03-05:00

I believe that depends on the NCO and depends on the position. I made SSG insanely early in my career but as an E6, I was the junior man on the team. The paycheck was a nice complement to the requirements of the job, but I wasn’t in a traditional/conventional Army Staff Sergeant leadership position. I WAS NOT in charge of a squad or acting PlatIoon SGT responsible for 40 Joe’s. Initially only responsible for myself and eventually a “junior,” I had 11 teammates that were there to mentor me along the way. After 5 years of that molding, I was prepared for the step into an officer appointment and was commanding a team by my mid 20’s. I wouldn’t have had the timeline if the opportunity was denied to me due to my age.

With that said, I acknowledge the foolishness of youth and immaturity. I would not have been a successful NCO and JR Warrant Officer without the guidance and mentorship of my tribe. Tossed in a different environment, culture, team, perhaps that mentorship would not have existed and I would have failed. So, I will stick with a METT-TC contribution to baby E6s.

Response by MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. made Mar 11 at 2021 6:53 AM

2021-03-11T06:53:23-05:00

For what it's worth, I was promoted to E-6 as an 11B40 in July 1973 at the age of 22 after a tour in Vietnam in 1970-71. I went on to attend OCS in the fall of '78 and was commissoned as an armor officer. I spent my last tour teaching at West Point and retired at age 40 as a major with a Ph.D. Bottom line: The army will let you "be all you can be." . . .

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 11 at 2021 7:55 AM

2021-03-11T07:55:09-05:00

Rank without experience is like a racecar with no windshield. Sure it goes fast, and it might seem impressive but it's usually without direction and quite possibly flying into a wall with an accompanying Michael Bay'esque fireball..

Response by Wayne Soares made Mar 11 at 2021 8:52 AM

2021-03-11T08:52:20-05:00

Thanks for the question Sgt Reese

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2021 8:55 AM

2021-03-11T08:55:36-05:00

Yes. In my opinion you are too young. My last PSG was 24 and he wasn’t a good leader. He lacked experience and was very childish in his ways.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2021 10:21 AM

2021-03-11T10:21:08-05:00

No. I pinned SSG at 22. I do acknowledge that it was early in my career, and there are “life questions” that I don’t necessarily have the answers to, but your age doesn’t always reflect your maturity or ability to do your job as a leader.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Mar 11 at 2021 12:07 PM

2021-03-11T12:07:49-05:00

E-6 at 21 in Vietnam, I wasn’t the youngest in my unit

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Mar 11 at 2021 12:11 PM

2021-03-11T12:11:33-05:00

I was an E-6 at 21 in Vietnam, I was not the youngest in my unit

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 11 at 2021 1:52 PM

2021-03-11T13:52:49-05:00

If they came in at 18, then they 4-5 yrs of service and should have made E4-E5, stand outs could be E6.It's not about age Look at our history- Audie Murphy was an Officer(battle field promotion) before his was 23. Promotions should come from leadership potential/ability, education, excellence

Response by 1SG Dennis Hicks made Mar 11 at 2021 2:13 PM

2021-03-11T14:13:42-05:00

While many still use chronological age as one of the defining measurements of maturity and ability I have found that individual actions serve as a better indicator of who is ready for more responsibility and advancement. I was pinned a SSG down in ranger school, for about two minutes and I was only 22. Had been a rifle team leader as a SP4 as well as a squad leader at that same rank. I also served as a PSG while a SSG for a few years. My actual Maturity has been in question to this very day :)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2021 2:53 PM

2021-03-11T14:53:37-05:00

This isn’t an age question, it’s a maturity question. Completely depends on the individual. I know plenty of 40 year old SSGs/SFCs that act and live well below their ranks and age.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Mar 11 at 2021 2:58 PM

2021-03-11T14:58:15-05:00

Throughout Army history, there have been a number of highly effective leaders whose ranks and ages would be cause for a double-take at least in today's Army.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Mar 11 at 2021 4:41 PM

2021-03-11T16:41:28-05:00

First, I would not consider a SSG an upper leader. This is still a junior NCO. SFC and up are Senior NCOs.

That being said, the age, to me, is not the important thing. What is that NCO's experience level? Maturity? Wisdom?
Generally speaking, when we think of age as it relates to leadership, we think of older being better. This is because (again, generally speaking) with age comes maturity and wisdom. But... I have met 22 year-olds who were wiser and more mature than most 55 year-olds and 40 year-olds who acted 14.
If that 22 or 23 year old has the skills, knowledge, and maturity to do the job... let them.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Mar 11 at 2021 4:57 PM

2021-03-11T16:57:40-05:00

Depends on the person, not the age. I have met childish 40 year olds, and 20 year olds who had the wisdom of seasoned veterans. Auddie Murphy was promoted to SSG at the age of 19 or 20 (he made SSG in 1944. keep in mind he falsified his age to join the Army in 1942 at or about 17.

Response by SFC Randy Hellenbrand made Mar 11 at 2021 7:28 PM

2021-03-11T19:28:00-05:00

My father was a Master Sgt. at 24 in the Korean War. I can't answer your question any better than some can and some shouldn't be.

Response by SSG Thomas Simpson made Mar 11 at 2021 11:17 PM

2021-03-11T23:17:11-05:00

Age is relative. I known 39 year olds who were very immature and 20 year olds that had an old soul. Leadership is the ability to influence others through actions. Lead by example.

Response by MSgt Ed Larson made Mar 12 at 2021 1:07 PM

2021-03-12T13:07:56-05:00

I was a 20 year old Sgt when i was in the Marines in 1980.

Response by SGT Cort Landry made Mar 12 at 2021 3:53 PM

2021-03-12T15:53:41-05:00

Seems to me, if you see someone in Special Forces or Ranger units, they tend to get promoted faster than others. I have a good friend that was a SGT Major at 37ish. He was with SF the majority of his career. So, no, it isn't impossible. Also, if the soldier isn't in SF, but got a Bachelor Degree during the first few years of his enlistment, that ways heavily on Promotion points.

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Mar 12 at 2021 8:12 PM

2021-03-12T20:12:11-05:00

I would say not but this isn't the norm. At 22 - 23 most have not really reached full maturity (even if they think so). On the other end of the scale I have seen thirty-five year old E-6 and E-7's that were not very good leaders also. It depends on the person more than anything else.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Mar 13 at 2021 1:30 PM

2021-03-13T13:30:59-05:00

I was offered a Commission but that would have made me just another butter bar

Response by PO1 RIchard Petty made Mar 13 at 2021 10:09 PM

2021-03-13T22:09:07-05:00

In the Navy yes it would to young to unless your are Nuke on Subs or Carriers because they are E-5 once they are done with all the schools they have to do before they get to the first command. Other than that situation no. But, I have met a Chief (E-7) a at my last command on Guam back in 2009 he had only 7 years in the Navy, but he was Nuke on Subs, lets just say he had issues for a while.

Response by CPL Joseph Elinger made Mar 14 at 2021 5:24 PM

2021-03-14T17:24:21-04:00

Too young to be likely, but E2 - E-4 get promotion waivers all the time, & Corporal or Acting Sargents, as well as battlefield promotions happen to.
We had a 1st Sgt in my HQ Battery in 83. He had battlefield promotions to Major during Vietnam. He was rifted on a few promotion lists & had to leave or enlist as a Sgt & worked his way up. You still Retire @ your highest rank served (Major).

Response by SP5 Wally Estes made Mar 14 at 2021 9:36 PM

2021-03-14T21:36:18-04:00

I was up for E- 6 when I was 21, I didn't think I was to young, I had spent 18 mo. in Nam, but I didn't reenlist, so I wasn't promoted!!!

Response by SGT Doug Blanchard made Mar 14 at 2021 9:40 PM

2021-03-14T21:40:20-04:00

I say both yes and no. Yes as sone 22-23 y.o are not mature enough to handle the responsibility that comes with the rank.
On the other hand, no. I have also seen abd know of 22-23 y.o. that are very mature for their age.I had a family member that was with the 82nd that was a SFC by the time he was 25. He had done three tours incountry in Vietnam and received field promotions. Di I think he was too young to be a SFC, no. He did a lot of growing up and maturing in Vietnam. He went on the make CSM and retired with 25 years active duty and suffers from his exposure to Agent Orange and PTSD.

Response by GySgt Nick Boyles made Mar 18 at 2021 3:11 PM

2021-03-18T15:11:30-04:00

I was a 19 year old SGT. Then a 22 year old SSGT in the Marines. I was well prepared by that time. I had served as a squad leader, platoon sergeant, and platoon commander for a weapon platoon, and attended the SSGT academy. So yes with the proper preparation a young E-6 can get the job done!

Response by PO1 Paul Jungnitsch made Mar 20 at 2021 1:31 AM

2021-03-20T01:31:25-04:00

I joined the navy at age 17, then blazed through schools in record time. I made petty officer 1st class at age 22. I was ship's machinist and ship's welder on a nuclear submarine. I could repair anything, machine anything, and weld anything. Being an E6 means people came to me for advice, despite my age. But I sure got evil glares from gray-haired or bald old timers in the E6 mess ashore!

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2021 7:28 AM

2021-03-22T07:28:37-04:00

Age is irrelevant.

Response by LTC John Wilson made Mar 22 at 2021 10:36 AM

2021-03-22T10:36:50-04:00

Medal of Honor recipient, Audie Murphy, one of the most decorated Soldiers of World War II, was promoted to Staff Sergeant (E-6) in January 1944 at Age 18. Within months, he was the Platoon Sergeant, and by the end of October 1944 -- at age 19 -- Murphy was promoted to Second Lieutenant and served as a Platoon Leader. He later fought off a German company in January 1945 near Holtzwihr -- the action for which he received the MoH -- while still age 19.

Does that help answer your question?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audie_Murphy#European_Theater

Audie_Murphy%23European_Theater

Response by SSG Bruce Booker made Mar 29 at 2021 6:32 PM

2021-03-29T18:32:27-04:00

I’ve known some surprisingly mature 23 year olds. I’ve also known some alarmingly immature 33 and 43 and 53 year olds. Perhaps suitability for promotion should be based more on technical qualification, experience, and personal character, and less on age.

Response by GySgt Kenneth Pepper made Mar 31 at 2021 3:53 PM

2021-03-31T15:53:30-04:00

Too many variables to answer with an absolute yes or no, but I will say I did not possess the maturity at 23 to be a SSGT in the Marine Corps during my mostly peacetime years.
Back in 1945 when a SM may have multiple theater tours after 2 years in service, it would have been different.
In 1973 an 18 year old goes basically straight to Vietnam, comes home, reenlists, back to Vietnam a few more times and is an E6 at 22-23. I bet it happened.
In 2021, is a 22-23 year old SM with 3-4 tours in country mature enough to be a Platoon SGT? What about one in a technical MOS with only a few troops?
Bottom line, it can happen. If warranted and the individual is capable, it should happen.

Response by Lt Col Steve Bonning made Apr 4 at 2021 2:53 PM

2021-04-04T14:53:34-04:00

Think about that. I didn't enlist until I was 25 as E-3. Made E-4 6 months later. Had I not went to the AF, how old would I have been if I stayed in and got promoted on schedule?

Response by 1SG James Kelly made Apr 7 at 2021 8:08 AM

2021-04-07T08:08:57-04:00

Not if you earned it.

Response by Rhonda Hanson made Apr 13 at 2021 2:32 PM

2021-04-13T14:32:03-04:00

Most definitely.

Response by SPC Henry Francis made Apr 15 at 2021 12:44 AM

2021-04-15T00:44:04-04:00

I joined a week after I was 17. Anybody worth their pay should be able to make E-6 in 6-years, especially superior performers.

Response by 1SG Ernest Stull made Apr 19 at 2021 3:28 PM

2021-04-19T15:28:57-04:00

No if the soldier had a good mentor and posses the skills and is constantly seeking positive initiative and has proven his ability to be a good leader then he should be promoted.I was a Sgt. At 21 and a PSG. I got promoted to SSG. At 24 and Sfc at 27. I lead and worked my ass off. Leadership does not end at 1700 hrs. You are a leader 24/7.

Response by SFC Charles Woods made May 28 at 2021 3:06 PM

2021-05-28T15:06:23-04:00

Don't know about now,back in the mid seventies we had a couple so called shake and bake E6s.They made E6 because they were assigned to a missile program that was cancelled.They were in way over thier heads as instructors,they simply could not even control a class of NG people that really wanted to learn.Completely useless during Health and welfare inspections.I thought then,and still do,that most soldiers need a little time in the dirt before they learn to be good leaders

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2021 7:42 PM

2021-05-28T19:42:36-04:00

No.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made May 28 at 2021 8:28 PM

2021-05-28T20:28:15-04:00

I was an E6 at 21, in Vietnam. I wasn’t the youngest

Response by SMSgt Cary Baker made May 31 at 2021 3:43 PM

2021-05-31T15:43:17-04:00

No, I had the privilege to work with several very young 2nd LTs - they were good and listened. I also had the unfortunate privilege to work with a couple not so good 2nd LTs. I don't think 22-23 is too young - however, these individuals really need to listen and grow.

Response by PO1 Raymond Patterson made Jun 28 at 2023 8:13 PM

2023-06-28T20:13:25-04:00

I was a 22 year old E-6 in the U.S. Navy Submarine Service in 1984. I served as LPO of the Radio division the last 6 months of my enlistment. While I was technically savvy, looking back, I was but a pup...possessing little in the way of leadership skills.