@Richard-Dalton ,
I hope all is well. First of all thank you for your service !!!
I believe that all journeys have to start somewhere, no matter how ambitious or mundane they are assumed to be.
I also believe that everyone has one or more opinions, often better kept to themselves....
Our industry is full of contradictions and people whose opinions are used to cover their own shortcomings and fears.
If your goal is to become a SOC analyst, then the CISSP IS NOT the correct credential for you at this stage of your career, as it is not a tactical/hands-on practitioner credential.
Credentials such as some of those you already have, as well as others such as CompTIA's PenTest+, as well as the newer Blue Team Level certifications ( https://securityblue.team/why-btl1/ ) are good choices to add credibility and experience based depth to your resume.
If, on the other hand you are looking to move towards more of a managerial role, then the CISSP is a good certification to pursue, BUT... it is not the only one that you will need, nor does it provide/cover ALL of the skills that would be necessary to be successful in that role.
You would want to look at adding additional certifications in a broad set of areas such as ITIL, Project Management (PMP), Six Sigma (white, green, yellow belts etc...), Cloud/Cloud Security (AWS/AZURE/ ISC2 CCSP, Cloud Security Alliance CCSK, etc..), Risk and Risk Management (ISACA CRISC, CGEIT, CDPSE, etc.. as well as ISO based certifications for risk and auditing), and the list goes on and on....
In other words, the reason that the CISSP is seen as being a Managerial and High Level certification, is that it is often the capstone to these other certifications I have mentioned, giving someone the ability to create a complete package of skills that represent BOTH their technical hands-on prowess, as well as their strategic abilities across the organizational operational landscape.
I think that it is perfectly fine to pursue a CISSP at any point in your career, if you have a plan to put the certification to work for you as part of a path you are pursuing, and if it works for you in that regard, regardless of whatever anyone says.... BUT... I also think that it is an investment of time and money that does not fully mature and "pay-off" until you link it to some of the other areas I have outlined above.
Step back and consider what you are doing, where you are, and where you want to from here, as well as what you want to do when you get there.. Once you have a good, clear picture that is strong and in-focus, the rest is easier to fill-in.
I am happy to be of any assistance that I can be as you assess and sketch out your picture... feel free to be in touch as needed. My direct e-mail is: adam@itpro.tv
Good Luck !!!
Cheers,
Adam