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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SFC Dr. Fred Lockard
For sure. They approve the awards so they get to be God in effect. Like the huge disparity in pay is not enough to soothe some egos; the have to have the awards system locked up also.
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I once heard awards explained this way. First, you have to do something. Second, someone has to witness the act. Third, if combat, the witness(es) have to survive. And finally, someone has to write it up. A private can make the award recommendation. Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
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SSG(P) Brian Kliesen
but it still has to be submitted up the chain of command, it still has to be read over, signed, approved and sent up. You are correct, a private can submit a 638 recommendation for award, but it has to be taken seriously, and move up the chain of command. The higher the award, the higher it has to go for approval. Oftentimes it will be downgraded just so the local commander can sign it rather than send it up where it may disappear. But it has to be approved at a higher level. If a PFC witnesses something, yes they can submit an award, but if the officer in charge does not know the private or the situation or the person recommended, they are going to put it at the bottom of the pile. If it is a fellow officer, it's 'Where do I sign'.
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1SG Jeffrey Mullett
Sir,
I have been recommended for a Bronze Star and 3 MSMs for tour and impact awards, so far, I have had the Bronze Star reduced to an ARCOM, (I never saw the narration, so I have no idea what my commander said) I was the First Sergeant as an E7 in a War Zone, my unit had several firsts, in addition to bringing 100% of my people home without death or injury...two of my MSM recommendations were reduced to ARCOMS and I am still trying to get the third processed for my time with the same unit where I received the Bronze Star recommendation. I received two other ARCOMS as impact awards.
The reason for the downgrade of the End of Tour recommendation I received when I left my second to last unit was that I was an E7, and the Brigade Commander said he felt that an E7 shouldn't receive that level of award.
I have been recommended for a Bronze Star and 3 MSMs for tour and impact awards, so far, I have had the Bronze Star reduced to an ARCOM, (I never saw the narration, so I have no idea what my commander said) I was the First Sergeant as an E7 in a War Zone, my unit had several firsts, in addition to bringing 100% of my people home without death or injury...two of my MSM recommendations were reduced to ARCOMS and I am still trying to get the third processed for my time with the same unit where I received the Bronze Star recommendation. I received two other ARCOMS as impact awards.
The reason for the downgrade of the End of Tour recommendation I received when I left my second to last unit was that I was an E7, and the Brigade Commander said he felt that an E7 shouldn't receive that level of award.
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Anyone no matter the rank can recommend some one for an award. If the deed meets the criteria and the award is written correctly and submitted I would think it would be approved, maybe downgraded or I have seen a few upgraded.
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In the Navy, you can write yourself an award or an award for someone else. You have to be will to put the time in and do a good write up. I imagine most military branches are the same. Your administration will need to sign off on it. Plus, the skipper. It is really not that difficult, but please make it worthwhile and not BS award. I saw a Colonel get a Bronze Star for just doing his job in Iraq. He just devalued the medal.
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It seems to me they are handing out a lot more awards now than when I was in not saying that is a bad thing just saying
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Remember, who writes, reviews and approve awards. Also remember that in war time, which of officers or enlisted receive the highest awards. Normally enlisted, they usually die in the line of duty. Don't feel bad in 20 years I got 3AAMs. It's political more now than ever.
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Suspended Profile
The other issue that comes into play is when you were in the Service. If you were a Cold Warrior and retired prior to the Global War on Terrorism, you would have seen a lot of officers and enlisted with far fewer awards and decorations, unless they were older folks who had served during VietNam or quite possibly Korea. Very few senior enlisted or senior officers were very junior during WWII remained when I started. During my time, we had Grenada, Panama, and Desert Shield/Desert Storm. As I see it, at the end of the day, a Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine or Coast Guardsman should focus on the task at hand, become proficient in their skill set, and take care of the folks on their right and left, and it should all work out pretty well in the end.
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Rank Plays a role. Too much of one in most cases. Having served in both peacetime and conflict I personally seen types of awards issued based simply on rank rather than achievement. For example if several non com's got an arcom then the platoon leader must be due a bronze star. Even though there was nothing to support it.
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1SG Jeffrey Mullett
I was recommended for a Meritorious Service Medal, the commander of the Brigade my unit belonged to downgraded it to an ARCOM, because, and I quote, "an E7 doesn't qualify for an MSM". I've had an MSM recommendation refused because the idiot processing the award didn't believe that you can receive an End of Tour award when you have received previous Impact Awards for the same tour. This was a Major in charge of processing award recommendations, THAT kind of ignorance is why our awards system is broken.
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