Is it common for a person with 17 years in the military to not have a personal award?

Not unusual, but they give out awards like candy. That's why they have lost their meaning. except to the individual.

Hello, soldier Never gives up look at what you have accomplished in your life. be sure to keep your medical records close. NEVER GIVE UP

My accomplishments went unrecognized as a Lieutenant (top tank platoon leader during battalion gunnery and tactical exercises). I earned my first ARCOM after a successful command tour. This was my sole award until I was presented with a letter awarding permanent possession of my recruiter's badge. The regulations in effect in the 1980s would grant permanent award of the badge only to a successful recruiting company commander. All others had to take it off once they completed their tours of duty. I received an AAM after a grueling exercise in which the recruiting battalion's recruiter zones were realigned to match the number of recruiting sergeants assigned to the battalion. I charted the boundaries between recruiting stations and recruiting companies among three states, seven major population centers, and over one hundred rural counties. As a sidebar, I earned the Driver-Mechanic Badge for operating a wheeled government vehicle over 12 months without causing an accident. Finally, I got the MSM as a retirement award, built largely around my success as an officer in USAREC.
In retrospect, the difficulty in preparing award recommendations should have been eased by the use of DA Form 638-1 of the late 80s. The original form 638 had to be supported by a two-page narrative recommendation and justification. Approval of the award hinged upon the skill and eloquence of the writer. The "short form" could be filled out by hand with bullet points and forwarded through the chain of command to the approval authority. Once approved, the S-1 assigns a permanent order number and forward copies to the individual's personnel records. The newest form 638 combines the needs of the "short form" with the elements of the "long-form" for combat valor and higher-level awards.
In my opinion, the rate awards are distributed depends upon the unit's leadership. I've met soldiers with silver oak leaf clusters on their AAM and senior NCOs with nothing higher than a good conduct medal. It comes down to those who use the awards system to encourage significant achievements or those who maintain excessively tight controls to maintain high standards for award distribution.

You have a legitimate concern. After 24 years of service, I have been retired for 18 years, and it still bothers me that my highest award is an Army Achievement Medal (AAM). I really don't think I was that mediocre. I really think I should have at the very least received a retirement award of some kind that was recognition for my 24 years of service. Yes, I had run-ins with people. Yes, I have a bad Officer Efficiency Report (OER). Yes, I was never ever going to make Lt.Col. but after 24 years of service I think I should have received something more than nothing.

As far as the original question, I don't believe that is common.

You forgot to include in number 3 that (insert name and rank here) is (insert senior's name and rank here)'s hunting buddy, bowling team member, child's godfather, and so on. People get awards in the military for stuff like that as well..and people DO NOT receive awards in the military for the same reasons.

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Drilling reservists often will never get a personal award unless mobilized.

I would not believe this to be common as you put it, especially today. I have however seen multiple instances of this during my service. A lot of the time (but not always) they have a superior who either doesn't wish to be bothered or has a personality conflict with the service member. Really bad officers are not common, but occasionally avoid the axe by keeping a low profile.

NOt even a "Goodie Ribbon".?