Why are officers recognized with awards more than enlisted?

Well said MSG!! I agree with everything you said! Well said!

Rank has its privileges...

I have always put more weight on medals that enlisted are awarded. We have a local politician (Air Force LTC reserves) who touted his Bronze star, when the closest he got to in country was Kuwait City. Look at some of the Administrative personnel who get Bronze Stars. We enlisted need to take care of our own. When one of your Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen or Coasties do something above our standards make sure the appropriate officers find out. If they don't act do it yourself!
Semper Fidelis!

I have been privy to this obsevation all too often when I was active. Bottom line, and this came from my CO when stationed at Ft. Bragg, an officer's or NCO's efficiency report isn't worth the paper to wipe one's butt on without the proper awards and commendations. In essence low ranking enlisted will be passed over for those awards to go to their superiors. It is the way it is.

Col. Williams, sir therein lies the problem. You stated "I could not rate a MSM until I was Captain, or an LOM until I was a Colonel.." Awards should NOT be tied to rank. In '87 my Colonel put me in for an MSM knowing the CG would downgrade and he did. Why? "We don't award MSMs to E-4s." However my Col. did the right thing, put it in, "fought the good fight" and showed me how a leader takes care of and goes to bat for his troops. I'm not saying you don't. I'm just sharing my personal experience. The award should reflect the act, not the rank.

Hmm, I remember walking up the steps of our Battalion Head Quarters with our CPO Doc. Posted on the bulkhead, on every other step was a citation for Marines who were MOH recipients. I had read them numerous times. Most of the recipients received them posthumously, all seemed to have gave their lives saving fellow Marines. I asked the CPO why there were not more “Docs” being MOH recipients. ( At that time, only 43, in the history of the MOH had received the highest award) CPO turned to me and said, “ Why give a medal for a person to do his job?” I thought about that for a while and realized it made sense. So, why do SNCO and Ofcs receive more medals and awards? We had a SNCO received an award for a field operation where he had oversaw 8 bays of vehicles being worked on for 12 hours a day for two weeks straight. Made sure all the vehicles got done. ( Wasn’t in the plan) Made sure the troops got three hot meals a day, showers, and berthing. He was an assistant, it wasn’t his job, but, he did it. I didn’t like the puke because he was a slave driver and his tact was non existent. He got the job done, at our expense, which wasn’t his job. So, yes, he got an award, and we got zip. Even though I didn’t like him as a person, I had to respect what he did. So, if you haven’t received an award, just what are you not doing? Are you doing your job? You get a paycheck for that. You get an award for making yourself stand out

I was upset about this during my tours in Iraq. I think I was most bothered by the number of Bronze Stars awarded. I went and read some of the recipients stories from WWII. I was dismayed at the differences in their stories and the reasons for the recipients being awarded the medal in Iraq. I know of an Officer who put himself in for a Silver Star for basically hearing gunfire near his Hummer. I was the G2 and close friends with S-1. I know he squashed it but I am sure others got through. I think some of the reason is, receiving medals is perceived to advance their careers. I think their perception is correct. I wonder about the integrity at times. It is like when everyone gets a trophy it minimizes the awe of those who deserved it. Just my thoughts.

Perhaps this is the case in the Army, but the NAVY tossed out NAMs like candy...I had four, plus a NCOM and for just doing the job I was trained for.

A short awards story you might find interesting. Germany 1974. I'm the assistant 1st brigade 3ID S-1. My boss comes into my office and tells me that our brigade commander has just gotten a butt chewing from the Division Commander for having the best brigade but not having one individual put in for an achievement award. He further tells me that I should expect some coming from the battalions and to make sure they are properly filled out. The first one comes from the 3/7th Cav. It is not properly filled out and I call them to come and get it. The S-1(CPT Charles C. Hagemeister ) comes to my office to pick up the recommendation for award that needs to be corrected. In 1967, in Vietnam SP4 Hagemeister, an Army medic, received the medal of honor. WE had a good chat, told him what was needed to correct the recommendation and I met my first MOH recipient.

To the OP . On another note, Have you been in units that were "stingy" with awards to begin with, or in an MOS/duty station that awards don't occur much? For example, me an enlisted tanker , was two years in Germany during a time of high readiness and many training exercises and readiness inspections and with commanders who awarded based on consistent levels across the board . In two years I got 7or 8 AAM's, (silver oak leaf+bronze oak leaf or 2) 4-5 for gunnery , 1 an inspection, 1 special service, 1 attaboy when I left. I would not have had all those chances to win/earn an award anywhere else , though at my second duty station I got another 3 AAM's and an Arcom when I left , for my last field exercise. I had a lot of chances to earn awards, because of my MOS, combined with my competency, being part of a good team, and a good chain of command and where I was at, it takes those 5 things , if even one is missing , well you're just outta luck. .