Why are officers recognized with awards more than enlisted?

If it's awards you want, join the Air Force...they'll give enlisted awards for making your rack daily. You don't even have to make it well, just be sure the blanket hides all the wrinkles. LOL The bottom two rows of USAF ribbons are invariably participation ribbons, assignment, training (PME), NCO schtuff. It's quite easy to get fruit salad in the AF.

I guess this might be the main reason why my dad decided to retire in the Army in 1972. He was a Korean Conflict and Vietnam War Combat Soldier. When I was growing up on the many Army Forts, my dad would talk about how the old Army generation knew what the hell was going on compared to the new generation of that time. But that’s another sea story. In my professional opinion officers do get heck of a lot of awards than our enlisted folks. Especially when you’re in combat. Its pretty amazing to see officers compare or downright complain about their award. To me personally getting a personal award for something that was your responsibility in the first place doesn’t cut the mustard with me. I’ve written many awards for my Marines if it was merited and definitely deserving. A personal award should be for something that is extraordinary for what that individual did to complete the overall mission. I never had a problem with awarding Marines during my career either as a Gunnery Sergeant or Chief Warrant Officer. Semper Fi!

That is the difference between corporate and executive level. It sucks but it follows the same philosophy of CEOs and executives getting paid doing the same or less then the others not getting paid. just translate that to the army and you got an army award system

I would say generally you are correct, the higher the rank, the more likely you are not only to receive an award but to receive a higher award. But during my career the primary consideration was the motivation of the nominating leader and organization. I was in organizations that made a point to recognize most anyone for not only on the spot actions but also routine PCS activity. But in other units it was a rare event even for PCS or even ETS events. I just heard from a current Soldier that his unit informed their Soldiers that everyone who completed a certain difficult task would be awarded an AAM. That was about a year ago and nobody received their award. I definitely saw that ETS awards were based on the rank of the person retiring. I've met specialists that had 5 AAMS and 3 ARCOMS and also met lieutenants (1LT) with one AAM (for their PCS).

If more people worried half as much about doing their jobs as they do about being rewarded the world would be a much better and safer place. Quit bitching about rewards and just do your damned job. Holy shit

This dumbass question again? If awards are whats important to you youre in the wrong line of work.

Well speaking from an AF perspective its the same crap. Ive read the AFI on decs and dont see a rank titled to the more common awards yet when I wrote awards for my personnel , the first question was about their rank. The guy could have hing the moon and stats but if he was an E5 on down he got a AF Ach, an officer do the same, skys the limit. Yet even to my retirement it doesnt make a bit of sense as the head shed has last say as to what you warrant. Ive seen an E8 get a Bronze star for something he wasnt wven in the same theater for, yet when that fact was brought up, shut up and color in your own corner. Ive tried to take care of my guys as best as i could and they knew it. If its really important to an individual do the lef work and push it through, my personal feeling was that little piece of paper and ribbon isnt as important as doing the right thing for the right reasons. Just my 2 cents

I never once thought anything I was doing in Viet Nam was going to earn any kind of award. I just did what the mission required and hoped the outcome was successful and safe. I don't know of any other Warrant or Commissioned Officer that ever did it for the reconnation or a medal on his chest. As a crew we were all put in for awards based on the danger and outcome of the mission and exposure to enemy fire. True the aircraft commander usually was upgraded above the rest of the crew as he made that decisions.

Sorry guys I think this is BS to just start a conversation.

It's because officers are seen as the leaders over enlisted so they get the credit first. Sadly many officer see giving awards to enlisted as a burden.

It's because they are the leaders and get credit for the ones under them. It all rolls downhill but there are holes in the way because may officers tend to think it's a burden on them.