What's the point of a Certificate of Appreciation if it doesn't give you points vs Certificate of Achievement?

Think of it like this...

Certificate of Appreciation = You met the standard
Certificate of Achievement = You exceeded the standard

Because your chain said that is what you rated, if they wanted you to have anything different they would have done it.

to be clear, both my COAs were for volunteering in warrior competitions for another unit. So it wasn't a rating or anything from my unit. I'm not disgruntled or anything. Just think certificates of appreciation are pointless participation trophies. (pointless. pun intended) lol

it's not always about points. Here is how awards broke down for me when I was on a Command Team. This was my subconscious thought process when recommending someone for an award.

Coin:
If you did something so awesome, I think you should be recognized, even though these things cost me money, you are getting a coin. If it was uber amazing, an AAM too. Since coins came out of my pocket, they are higher in precedence than awards to me.

Army Achievement Medal:
If I think you did something awesome and probably need points, you're getting an AAM. They only cost me the time to write up an award, it doesn't affect my wallet.

Certificate of Achievement:
If you're seeing one of these, either someone downgraded the AAM for some reason, you did something noteworthy but not that out of the ordinary, or you're external to the unit and I have to give you one of these for PR/political reasons.

Certificate of Appreciation:
Usually for civilians/spouses. If you get one of these from me as a Soldier, you are likely a turd that is PCS'ing and the command mandated that you get an award despite your performance. This was all my conscience would allow me to give you without cheapening the awards system.

To show.....appreciation?

I had a BC who carried around blue postcard sized cards in his cargo pocket. One side was title "Pat on the back." The other was "kick in the ass." He would drop those on folks one or two a day, most days. Sometimes 10 or 12. Wasn't worth points, but it certainly still felt good that he thought I was worthy enough of a pat on the back to stop and write a quick note and hand it to me.

(I ended up with three pats and two kicks... Overall a net win!)

You were recognized for a job well done. You received a personal note from a leader who recognized your act. Soldiers service is selfless, whatever recognition received is incidental to the act. Many amazing and heroic acts go unnoticed while the individual knows and is happy that they did what they did. You are a leader of Soldiers, a Non-Commissioned-Officer, your deeds and acts are selfless. When recognized be proud and happy that someone cared enough to report your act and that the command recognized your actions. Thank you for your service.

Not everything is about advancement or self gratification. You were recognized for an event, action or performance. It is something to be thankful for. Our acre are to be selfless, recognition comes when someone else notices. Recognition can be as simple as a kind statement, this is to be appreciated and humbled by. If we do things for recognition or advancement at every turn we are likely of the mindset expected of Soldiers, Leaders. Be thankful. Thank you for your service, selfless service.

You do your very will

For that matter, the coins! I am not Sonic the Hedgehog, nor one of the Mario Brothers. Keep your coins.

It just shows something else you contributed to.

I treat a Certificate of Appreciation like a handshake or equivalent to receiving a coin. As far as Certificate of Achievements go, you see a lot of AAM's getting downgraded to COA's. Its all how you word it on the 638 and what your command wants to go approve.