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

A personal award is someone else's acknowledgement in writing and a nice-looking decoration that you did a good job or exceptional job at whatever task is mentioned in the citation of said award. I know many good Marines and other servicemembers who don't have much for fruit salad, but that didn't make them any less stellar than those who had racks comparable to those of North Korean generals.

They have already been handing out the glorious Administrative Bronze Star award (eyeroll) just as a "Hey thanks for chilling out with us for 20 years" probably to settle this issue, on paper anyway...leaving Vietnam Valorous Bronze Star recipients turning in their graves.

Praying for you. Many times, it depends on how your immediate supervisor sees your effort.

In my almost 7 years serving in the Army I received 5 personal awards, however only 2 of them actually meant something to me. The other 3 were for just doing my job and/or leaving a unit. While at my first unit I received a AAM for going above and beyond what was asked of me to ensure a QTB was completed on time. Remember, in the late 80's, PowerPoint presentations were not that easy to complete and or create. And the second was a JSCM to which I received while attached to a unit in Desert Storm/Shield. So, lets just say, if you received an award (any award) while deployed to Desert Storm, I amongst 3 others were the ones who typed up the award. (Army awards). However, I know what I've said might seem like bragging, but I will say it wasn't uncommon in my time for many soldiers to not have received a personal award even with 17 + years. So, despite how many ribbons I might have worn on my uniform when I left the service, what I would like to say is, no matter how many rows of ribbon you have on your chest, in my eyes it means more to me how many strips you have on your shoulders and/or how many service strips you have on lower sleeve. And the pride you have in your service should means more than what's on your chest. To be completely honest with you, be it 4 years or 30 years, I'd rather have 1 award that means the world to me than have 20 that mean absolutely nothing.

Yes the Marine Corps does not hand out awards like many other branches. Now I did 16 years in the Army National Guard I was GIVEN 3 ARCOMS 2 achievements that really don't mean anything. You don't give awards for don't he jod. So as far as your National Guard Unite goes it could be that they have a higher standard.

It would be hard to believe SSgt Sakowski that you didn't have such a letter in your file. But you know what? Some Senior NCO's and some Officers are just to damn lazy to write such a letter when a soldier, sailor or marine does his job in a way to honor himself and the unit he belongs too. While other units write these letters far to often and it cheapens the Award letter or recommendation. I would ask the records section to recheck your records and see if such a letter may exist and is simply missing from your records jacket. In the Army National Guard everyone receives Good Conduct awards every so many years and usually if your doing your job and going the extra mile you will earn an Army Achievement medal if your Section Chief thinks your doing an exceptional job. Army Commendation Medal are even possible when you have been doing your job way above and beyond your fellow soldiers. The Marine Corp however may be tougher to receive awards but you should qualify for something in the National Guard if you are nailing your PT test and getting great NCOER's.

Without knowing you personally, it is hard to say why you haven't received any personal awards. The Marine Corps is the tightest branch of the Armed Forces for giving out awards. Just look at other branches when we are all in our uniforms that rate medals and ribbons.
In my career I have noticed that you have to start early to stand out from the crowd. Your PT scores are part of that, but it goes much further. Being a complete Marine requires you to expand your horizons into the community; at least outside of your unit and close associates. If you performed your duties in an exemplary manner, then your superiors are at fault for not recognizing your dedication and competency at work. Volunteering for additional duties at your unit, special assignments, and working with charities helps get you recognized in the community and by your command. For instance, as a young PFC going to avionics school at NAS Millington, TN, my class leader organized a group of us to go to St. Jude's hospital and rebuild wheelchairs for the kids who were patients there. We did that every other Saturday for about 4 months or so. The administrator at St. Jude's wrote a very nice letter to our Commanding Officer showing his appreciation, and pointing out how much money we saved the hospital by fixing the wheel chairs, and we also visited and talked to the kids, boosting their morale and attitude. Everyone involved got a Letter of Appreciation, and the Class Leader received a Meritorious Mast. I realize that this was not a NAM or a NCM, but it was a personal award, it gets you recognized by your command, and it's in your SRB.

Have you ever volunteered for additional duties, a "B" Billet, or charity work?? Are you working with any community charity organizations, like the local food bank, youth sports, or other community improvement project ? Being an active member of organizations like a neighborhood watch, emergency response volunteer group, or other community group gets you special notice as well.

You've still got time. Three years is a long time away. Explore ways for you to get involved in the military charity community. Is there a VA hospital nearby you? Sometimes they need volunteers to help drive the patients to and from doctors outside the hospital. The Red Cross is always looking for volunteers. Check around and I'm sure you'll find something, but most of all, make sure that you are standing out at work, and always go beyond what is expected of you.

When sitting down going over your NCOER have you even asked what they would need to see to recommend you for an award? At least put it in their mind you want something while you learning what they expect from someone in your position to receive one. I seen a few responses and one the stuck out is from MAJ Yinon Weiss and I have seen many times a Private or specialist getting AAM's while the NCO did not when I see all the work and time they put into the same project. As a SFC they expect more from you but there is still that above and beyond you put into your work each time and that should be noted.

On the USMC side, we tend to be more "tight fisted" when it comes to the awards. It's a product of approval authority (ours used to be one rank higher than the Army). We also tend not to have "end of tour" awards below SNCO (if then).

I can't speak to the NG side.