Has there ever been a time where recognition of your hard work actually resulted in a new opportunity?

Not at all. Most of the time, my work was used to justify Meritorious masts and Navy Achievement Medals for other people. the common justification was that "I was a Lance corporal, and doing tasks was my job".

Yes. Plenty of times my hard work created new opportunities.....
..... for my bosses who claimed it.

I made a DTS Smart Book which I gave to the army.