Cadet one stripe
I began in ALITALIA in 1967 as a Viscount copilot. After line traning I began to fly "solo" (without a regular 'second pilot' on board) with a Captain.
I had a pilot's license of the third degree, R.T. certficate, and second class navigator. After 1 year I accrued the second stripe. I wore the third half stripe (to be distinguished from young commanders wearing three full stripes) after some hundred miles of Long Range Flights.
So it's not a matter of stripes, but of training and airmanship.