If it makes you feel any better, it took me 9 years to go from E6 to E7, too.  I felt like I was the oldest E6 in the Army! 

But I figured that with a war on the opportunities for promotion were pretty good?  I left AD at about 10 years in, with the idea of going back to college (I was also in my early 30's.)  Since you don't ETS until 2010 a lot can happen, I'd consider sticking it out until retirement. 

If you do decide to get out you might want to seriously think about the guard or reserves.  Promotions tend to come faster and you will keep some of your military benefits.  Yes, you will probably deploy again, but it's something to consider.  I deployed 3x with RC units (1 with the AR to Bosnia and 2 with the NG, to Afghanistan and Kuwait.) 

As for the Federal Gov't angle, that's what I did.  I retired from the Guard with 23 years but only about 12 years of active duty, so I don't get a retirement pension yet (not until I turn 60) and I don't get medical benefits (again, I'll be eligible when I turn 60.)  I do get full use of the PX and Commissary, though, which is nice. 

Anyway, after law school I got a job with the US Department of Labor and have been here for just over 2 years now (actually, two years as of yesterday.)  I started as a GS7 then got GS9 at the one year mark and GS11 at the two year mark.  The primary benefit of my military service so far has been my leave time - since I had over 5 years military time I get 6 hours annual leave every pay period, which works out to about 3 1/2 weeks of leave each year. 

As far as retirement goes, you can buy back your military time but I haven't done it yet.  There's some paperwork hoops you have to jump through.  I need to get on it, though, because I think there's a time limit. 

USPMA #11, CVMA #1271 NH 5-1

Getting a Government job after you complete your military service is a common path for ex-dogfaces. I did it that way and I've never been happier. I work for the Navy though unlike martinjumper who works for the Department of Labor. My brother works for the US Army Corps of Engineers and my sister retired from working as a civil service computer programmer with the (gasp! ) US Chair Force. The rules are the same though about leave earned during the pay period and such. My civil service retirement plan is called FERS though which came out in 1983. And yes, it does make a difference if you add in your military time to your civil service time. It adjusts the age at which you can retire. I'm going to HRO next week with my box o' DD 214s and see how much I have to put in to get that time counted. I would be a triple-dipper when I retire if all goes well (Army, VA disability, Civil Service) SWEET.  

Hang tough, Bro.

Gold Class 92-03

The Warrant Officer – an officer appointed by the Secretary of the Army based on a sound level of technical and tactical competence. The Warrant Officer is a highly specialized expert and trainer who by gaining progressive levels of expertise and leadership operates, maintains, administers, and manages the Army’s equipment, support activities, or technical systems for an entire career.

WTF? Who's Mr. Pillow Pants? - Clerks 2