This may be true for the U.S,. Army, but in the Marines, and Navy (not positive about Air Force) there is only one line of advancement at this level. An E-4 in the Marines is Corporal only (an NCO; just to confused things, a “Non Commissioned Officer”), and in the Navy one would be a 3rd Class Petty Officer. They can, would, and are put in leadership positions over other E-4s, depending on the unit.
At a HIGHER level, above Gunnery Sergeany, there can be a split at E-8 - First Sergeant and Master Sergeant (both E-8), and continuing up those two paths to Master Gunnery Sergeant and Sergeant Major at E-9.