Why are officers recognized with awards more than enlisted?

I'm trying not to brag here, but by the end of my 20 years in the Navy I had racked up 29 awards, all but five were medals. I will admit that I had excellent leaders who mentored me and recognized my work and performance. I don't know if there's an average for a career service member, but I have a lot of gratitude for the people that were around me - particularly in combat.

Don’t worry about awards. Work on yourself and prepare yourself for life after the military. Service awards distract you from the reality that you’re being compensated poorly compared to the private sector. I have a pile of DMSMs and they mean nothing after retirement.

I’m retired since 2000. When I was in, I was recommended by my 05 Commander for a Legion of Merit for some things I was doing in a classified operation. It was downgraded toa Merritorial Service Medal because the Legion of Merit was only given to Commissioned Officers

The Officer Corps is a Club. They pat each other on the back, Self congratulatory. They reward each other to help elevate the club members up in promotions. Scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours. Pure reciprocation.

I Know It’s Been A Few Years Since This Post.
I Have Just Seen It And Had To Respond.
I Spent 6 Years In The Marines And Was Awarded An Air Medal Purple Heart For Service In Grenada Along With Ribbons For Just Being There,
I Was Also Awarded 1 Navy/ Marine Corps Commendation Medal And A Navy Achievement Medal , A Over Seas Service Ribbon And Good Conduct Medals.
in The Guard I Was Awarded 2 Army Achievement Medals , Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon And Good Conduct Medal. Plus Pennsylvania State Ribbons and Medals.
My Short Time On Active Duty Army I Was Awarded 1 Army Commendation Medal, 1 Army Achievement Medal And A Second Award Of The Humanitarian Service Medal.
All Awarded As An E-4 Or Below.
All Of Those Medals ,Ribbons , Aircrew Wings , Expert Rifle And Driver Badge Looked Real Pretty On My Dress Uniform .
But In The End Got Me Absolutely Nothing After I Left The Military .
I Would Be Just As Proud Of My Military Service If I Would Have Only Been Awarded Good Conduct Medals And Service Ribbons.
Because I Served Honorably And Did My Job To The Best Of My Ability.
I Didn’t Care If Some E-7 Or An Officer Got A Higher Medal Than Me, I Did My Job Not Theirs.

Hate to say it its always been that way. In the 60's and 70's when I entered the military as an enlisted we did not get evaluations that reflected our true worth. Geberal rule was lower the rank the lower top evaluation mark. Because you were not qualified enough. No 4.0's unless you were a E-7 or in personnel office. Individual awards usually went to the supervisor or divison officer/department head. If the ship got an award you would also. you could get markmanship or a good conduct. As a E-6 filling a E-7 slot I recommended the people under my charge more than once for going over and above more than once. Division office got an award. No letters of commendation either. My first 4.0 was given to me by an Senior chief after I left a school that I ended up teaching some classes. In spite of the way things were I did Make it to E-7 and accepted for the Warrant program at 9 years. Indtead i left the miflitary to take care of family members in ill health.

I personally witnessed this on three occasions. First, when we were in Iraq, everyone E6 and above were awarded a BSM simply for being in country, not because they actually did anything to deserve it. Some accepted, some refused. We all knew who did and didn't. Second occasion, DURING the award ceremony for a Marine corporal who earned the Navy Cross while fighting in Fallujah, I watched an Army Sergeant Major shake his head and say as an E4, that Marine didn't deserve the Navy Cross because he had plenty of time to earn it again as long as he went career. I had no respect for the man before that, but I lost ALL respect for every staff NCO and officer around him who didn't say a single word of protest. That SGM didn't see a day of actual combat while we were in country BTW. And lastly, this is hearsay so I don't know this for sure but, I was told this by the Master Sergeant who put me in for the award so...I was in the right place at the right time and fate smiled on me for about 30 minutes one day in country. As an E4, I was put in for a BSM, and instead was "awarded" with a helo ride to Tikrit with the commander for the day. The guy was an asshole and I'd have rather bathed in battery acid than to spend the day riding around with him. Our CG came to visit me and say good job but this fucking LTC didn't say a word to me the entire time. I didn't find out until several months later, and by then I was mentally done with the army and had already made other plans. Seeing that the BSM has no meaning anymore, I didn't particularly care. It was the principle that pissed me off. In my experience, higher ups will A-L-W-A-Y-S look out for themselves first. In most cases, if you're E5 and below, you're a waste of their time if you're locked on and a "typical" enlisted if you find yourself in trouble. There are always exceptions to that rule, of course, but never so much that I'd let my guard down around anyone E6/01 and above.

Easy one. For one, lower enlisted have far less reponsibilities. As people progress in rank, their responsibilities increase. A Fire Team Leader, Sqd Ldr, PSG have fewer people to be RESPONSIBLE FOR, with far more responsibiiliteis on their shoulders. Likewise, the Plt Ldr and Co Cdr have even more responsibility ... AND risk. Thus, the highter the rank, the more likely it is for more or higher awards.
The envy factor of that is self-defeating. (No, I'm not sayiing your situation is from envy, but a legitimate, often asked question.) When it comes to actions in combat however, there are far more enlisted receiving awards of valor than offiers, I'm pretty sure. That's because the enlisted, and junior officers (include them too) are usually in more vulnerable/dangerous areas. While Colonels and Generals may get higher achievement awards (Meritorious Servce Medals for example), I don't believe the do with valor awards.
EXAMPLE: 77% of Medals of Honor have gone to enlisted personnel; 23% to officers.

Google search "The Peter Principal" there you have it, KISS.... keeping it simple sergeant :-)

Weird. Because I haven’t gotten an award since I commissioned and as an enlisted guy I usually got 1-2 every year or so.