Posted on Apr 19, 2017
Why are officers recognized with awards more than enlisted?
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It seems to me that officers are recogized far more often then enlisted soldiers. I mean an officer and junior enlisted could do the same exact thing, or an enlisted could do more then an officer and chances are the officer will be given a higher award. Why? I have been in for almost 8 years and only have 1 AAM which is my only actual award.
Awards
Officers
Enlisted
Recognition
Fairness
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 577
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Good question; however, during my 12 as an enlisted missile technician and instructor I received twice the awards as when I accepted a commission in the Navy. Of course, some of these were good conduct (which officers don't get), professional military education (which I don't think anyone other than the USAF gets), and longevity ribbons. Additionally, that is leaving out the NDM and other conflict or deployment medals or ribbons.
I think the honors go to those most in the spotlight as well as their proximity to those who award the medals. If someone is promoting your image as 'the best' you will see results, yet if you are constantly down in the trenches or hidden in the engineering spaces the chain of command may not even know you exist.
I think the honors go to those most in the spotlight as well as their proximity to those who award the medals. If someone is promoting your image as 'the best' you will see results, yet if you are constantly down in the trenches or hidden in the engineering spaces the chain of command may not even know you exist.
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I think it goes back to the Authority/Responsibility rule. (You can delegate authority but not responsibility) So an officer gets credit for the actions of his subordinates and has the responsibility of recognizing their actions. But the second half of that formula is often overlooked so enlisted often get overlooked unless their actions come to the attention of higher ups other than by "proper" channels.
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There are a lot of good answers to this question already. But I will add that no one should do anything with the intent of getting a reward/medal for it. Do your job to the best of your ability and your superiors will notice. Likewise, regardless of rank and medals, if you're a crappy soldier everyone will know it.
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In my previous unit, regardless of the award or individual, no one received anything. Even time in service awards or training ribbons were impossible to document and get approved, which only required a simple memo. Later on, Officers received awards because it was 'an important stepping stone for their career and necessary for them to progress and be recognized by their peers'. Junior Enlisted and NCO's, who did most if not all of the work anyway, still did not receive anything. In my current unit it is much the same, Officers get inflated awards and soldiers are lucky to get a 'Certificate of Appreciation' with a minimum of spelling errors. Not even a 'Certificate of Achievement' which is at least a few promotion points. A year later we are waiting on awards for our home station AT which required a lot of work and preparation. This year the unit is going to go to support a mission as AT and I would bet that the officers will get their awards approved quickly with little, if anything for the rest.
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This will get a lot of flack, I'm sure, but here is something to consider: Your recognition can never exceed that of the immediate officers above you. Recognize that, and use it to your advantage. Pick a junior level officer to serve as your "mentor." Identify a project that has tangible benefits, and seek his "advice." Then frequently mention your "team's project" in front of the higher-ups. When it comes to fruition, you will have to watch your junior officer receive a higher award than he deserved, but you will get your recognition and a lower level award as fallout. On the plus side, word will get around and you'll have more opportunities to excel. Get good enough, and they will seek you out.
I got my first ARCOM as a infantry buck sergeant in 1981... the year they first came out with the AAM. Anybody that knows how hard that was to get will look at the citation and go, "WTF, over?" There is no mention of the project that got my OIC a MSM... which was virtually unheard of since he was just a 1LT. But everybody in my CoC received recognition and I benefited from it.
This presumes that you can recognize opportunities for improvement that don't knife a superior in the back when exposed. I learned that the hard way.
We all like to believe that in a perfect world, everything would be based on performance and merit... but office politics are something that has to be acknowledged since they really do come into play.
And for those that say awards don't mean anything, I call BS... promotion points are important to enlisted personnel.
I got my first ARCOM as a infantry buck sergeant in 1981... the year they first came out with the AAM. Anybody that knows how hard that was to get will look at the citation and go, "WTF, over?" There is no mention of the project that got my OIC a MSM... which was virtually unheard of since he was just a 1LT. But everybody in my CoC received recognition and I benefited from it.
This presumes that you can recognize opportunities for improvement that don't knife a superior in the back when exposed. I learned that the hard way.
We all like to believe that in a perfect world, everything would be based on performance and merit... but office politics are something that has to be acknowledged since they really do come into play.
And for those that say awards don't mean anything, I call BS... promotion points are important to enlisted personnel.
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When I deployed to Iraq I worked in the network operations and security center. My immediate supervisor in this instance was a Captain. There was no NCO intermediary. This is not typical but, it's what t was. We distributed and shipped critical commo equipment throughout Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. My boss received a bronze star myself a commendation. Doesn't quite make sense a commander should have the ability bestow awards fitting Soldiers role and position.
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Ummm, that's because you are a looser. You should get an award because you thought you did more than somebody else when actuality you were fucking sleeping on the patrol. Cry to somebody else, someone who hasn't done any time in the fucking Army whatsoever.
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SGM Erik Marquez
CPT Douglas Griffith Feel free to post your personal opinion, its your choice....right up until you do so unprofessionally, attacking a fellow member with disrespect.. Then you get all kinds of free friendly advice and attention from the Admin team.
Simple plan....Attack the post, not the poster.
Simple plan....Attack the post, not the poster.
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SSG Jeff Beltran
Getting an award or awards in today's Army is based on an exact definitive guidelines established by CoC, Brigade and Division Level of requirements and recommendations. This includes your S-1's award section and for the Army under DOA requirements. See your S-1 for details. Historically, in past conflicts recommendations for awards were lost or denied for any number of reasons. (1) The Officer in Charge and your Squad leader and Team leader were killed in action or wounded were sent home and you never saw them again as in the case for World War II , Korea and Vietnam and any other conflict since. (2) Race and Religion and politics played a big part in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, etc especially for any minorities from Blacks, Asian's, Hispanic, etc or if you were Jewish as an example. (3) A combination of bad or good luck or both and maybe a prayer or two and being at the right place at the right time, like "impact awards". Technology has also played a big difference verses, paper works, which were shuffled around or destroyed for a number of reason to many to name, but here's a few to ponder; Your Unit at war was overrun and recommendations for awards were lost or destroyed. The color of your skin or religion got your award down graded from a MOH to DSC or worse lost or destroyed, due to the racism or hated or politics involved. Today, Digitally signed awards are much more available from your Chain of Command and through S-1 and much more quicker and more accurate, when it is supported and signed both digitally with papers , which leave very few chances of it getting lost, once they are submitted. Awards, generally speaking for lower in Enlisted today are almost hard to get, unless you stand out above your peer's. IE attend and win Soldier of the Month, Soldier of the Brigade and then Division then that would warrant at the minimum; (1) AAM, (1) Arcom not to include COA's and quite possibly getting you to the promotion board. In time of war any other Awards and Decorations can be or are open based on the individuals scope of duties, or actions in combat or saving the life of civilian. Of course awards will not be awarded for failing tape, before PCSing or for drug or alcohol related incidences to include other factors. As for the SM who has only received only one award in 8 years. I would recommend re-evaluating what is is you are missing or lacking in not getting the proper recognition for awards. (1) Are you consistently providing quantitative work on a consistent basis, above your pay grade? (2) Team leader position? (3) NCOIC and Supervising two or more soldiers in the absence of an NCO? for a period of months and years? (4) Are you attending Soldier of the Month boards and winning them up to Division Level? Are you maxing your APFT? Expert in all of your weapons system? How about College? Do you have an Associates Degree? If yes then work on your Bachelors, Don't stop keep going. How about correspondences course? or Military Schools? WLC? Are you communicating your intent to your supervisors or Squad leader and Platoon Leader? Are you following up on an Award you know you are due and following up with your Supervisor, Team Leader or Squad Leader? Are your Peers looking at you as a buddy and one of the guys or as leader? Do you do volunteer work? Do you hold a Special Duty position? Company, Brigade, Division Driver? Armor? Mail Clerk? HazMat, Fire Marshall? Battalion B.O.S.S representative? Informal and Formal Networking examples attending your Battalion, Brigade or Division Ball to get you noticed and remembered in a good way by others and how well you conduct yourself in a professional and social atmosphere. You will be surprised how many doors are opened by networking in a proper and professional manner. Look for Mentors in your section on a professional level and then network outside your group on a professional and social level. In social levels be wise on what you are doing socially on a legal and moral level. All of the above is not set in stone nor is it inclusive, but based on my personal experiences and from other great leaders who took the time to help me learn to grow and become a better leader. I hope this helps.
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CWO3 (Join to see)
When you sober up you might understand all the down votes. I didn't waste the time to cast one, but if you are a Mustang you definitely forgot where you came from. Totally UNSAT.
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