Why are officers recognized with awards more than enlisted?

As a Spc4 in 1974 I asked the same question. I could tell you what I was told but that type language is not allowed on this site. Suffice it to say if you stay in long enough you will one day understand.

Interesting thing about awards, one fellow officer made a comment regarding giving awards to officers, to the effect that your reward as an officer generally is your OER. Until you are in a combat tour, and it seems like the BSM is the attaboy award.

As a former Army HR enlisted soldier, I think that anybody getting an award, in the army, depends on 1. the person getting/deserving the award, 2. the person recognizing the merit, 3. the person (42A) actually writing/setting up the award, 4. the NCO over the 42A's, the 5. S-1 officer in charge of this whole process, and the 6. commanding officer of that unit. The ball can be dropped anywhere much more easily than it can be dunked for a 3-pointer, and for varied reasons. I made it a point to get the guys as many awards as they could before the time was up. If you have research skills and the luxury of time, a good 42A lower enlisted can fill up your chest with ribbons and medals.

As a specialist, what are you required to do? As a PFC, I was on a team and walked around with part of a crew served weapon. As a specialist, you might possibly be a team leader, but likely aren’t. Meanwhile a brand spanking new 2LT has more than just his rifle and place in the unit to worry about. He has you and 30-40 other joes. There is such a thing as the burden of leadership, and with increased responsibility comes increased reward. I can’t say it more bluntly than that, having been on both sides of the fence and being that PFC that didn’t receive a medal.

And what imperial evidence do you have that officers are recognized far more? I would say across the board it is much less. For every platoon leader or CO that receives an award, there are dozens more enlisted that do when you leave country or PCS.

If you have been in for 8 years and only have an AAM, start looking at the factors. Has what you have done rated an ARCOM? After 8 years I am assuming you are an NCO and no longer a SPC. If that’s the case, why have you not sat down with your platoon SGT or other leaders and plead your case?

It’s not a black and white officer v. Enlisted issue. It has much to do with your leaders and what you do compared to everyone else.

And anyone can put someone in for an award. If all else fails, write one up for yourself if you feel you deserve it and have your squad leader or PSGT pass it on up.

Part of the problem is that we give out too many awards. The Army should stop awarding end-of-tour awards. Your reward is your great OER/NCOER that will get you promoted. Awards should be impact awards only, given for exceptional /valorous performance of duty tied to specific events/activities. That said, end of tour awards tend to be higher level awards for officers due to the higher “level of responsibility” in most officer roles vis-a-vis enlisted roles.

This is a great question. Clearly, no policy prevents any rank from receiving any level of award. Instead, there are only two questions that matter: a) does someone care enough to write an award and b) who must approve it.

To answer the first question, you should talk to your NCOs and officers about what it takes to earn an award, as either can initiate one. Do not focus on rank, as it something that you can't change. Instead, focus on what YOU can do in your current rank. For instance, a SPC can (most likely) earn an award for being your BN's Soldier of the Year. On the other hand, a SPC can't earn an award for being the best CO CDR at NTC.

To answer the second question, you should read AR 600-8-22 in detail. A commander simply shouldn't approve an award because they feel like it. Instead, it is a deliberate act that must convey meaning on the award (unlike the Service Medals and Service Ribbons in Chap 5). In your case, this may involve reflecting on your previous contributions along the lines of the other people who responded to this post.

If you only have 1 AAM in 8 years, you're doing something wrong lol

Simple answer. Your NCOs failed at submitting recommendation for awards or you have done nothing to outshine your peers.

I can't speak for every unit but it seems like a lot of units higher leadership are looking out for the officers because they may need more awards and medals to move up in rank. Of course the enlisted side does as well. I also think there is an actual amount of awards that can be awarded per unit at any given time. I was on a deployment and was recommended for an ARCOM with a V device and it was downgraded to a plain ARCOM so a 1LT could be awarded a bronze star. I could of course be wrong but that is what happened and I've seen it before. Awards aren't everything though. People know your worth by your actions and not what's on your chest.

Who gives a shit about who gets what award? If that's why you serve you should do something else.