Why are officers recognized with awards more than enlisted?

I agree to a certain extent that Officers are recognized more than Enlisted. I've received a few awards during my career. There were times that I or my junior enlisted should've been recognized for going beyond our spectrum of job responsibilities/duties. I've recommended junior enlisted for awards and written up the recommendations myself and submitted it to my Seniors and seemed to somehow almost always fell through the cracks. Now that I'm retired I can relate to some of their complaints and would give this advice, lead by example, let your actions do all of your talking and be proud of everything you do knowing that you gave 110%. Whether you are Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and yes include Coast Guard, it's always "One Team, One Fight" because that is what we volunteered for and I'm proud of "All" that signs on the dotted line to protect Our Great Country. Thanks for reading, this is just my opinion.

I am a reservist, and have spent my entire time in the Army Reserve where I am now a Staff Sergeant. I have been in for 12 years, have mobilized twice, and will ETS this next year. I have organized countless trainings, ranges, AT's, programs, ceremonies, worked with other branches of the military, other nations and civilian organizations. I have spent weeks preparing for courses, contacting soldiers for their required online training, medical updates, phone calls, counseling, and have travelled to visit my soldiers who do not live in the local area. I am available at all times and have helped my soldiers as an advocate, instructor, and job reference. I have been singled out by various commands, Officers and CSM's for doing an outstanding job and have received more than two dozen coins.

In the 12 years I have been in the Army Reserve, I have received no awards. None.

All my awards were from my two, one year mobilizations. I have submitted over 40 DA Form 638, Recommendation for Award, to my higher to recognize my soldiers and officers and had exactly six approved. 4 ETS awards and 2 AAM's (downgraded from ARCOM). I didn't join the military to receive awards, but I would very much like to recognize some of my soldiers for their hard work, to build an esprit de corps, to show that their efforts are appreciated and to show others that they too can be recognized.

Depending on your command, some make awards easy. There are always those stories of Officers and senior NCO's writing their own awards. At the ceremonies I have had to attend, the officers got the majority of the awards, while the enlisted rolled their eyes and shook their heads. It weakens the award structure when officers get awarded for the work their soldiers do. Not recognizing soldiers for their work is one of the many ways we lose good soldiers every day.

As for enlisted the squeeky wheel gets the most grease. I mean many leaders do not take the time to write awards let alone well written awards and therefore lower enlisted missout. SGT's and SSG's should learn to speak up for themselves (write your own award) or be left in the dirt for promotion points. I know this sounds f'ed up, but the leaders many times over look the enlisted because they feel there are so many other important things to do than use their time writing awards. So, there is no reason why an individual cant write their own award and present it to their leader.

I was a medic in the military and worked as civilian as a certified medical aid. The majority of the care given to patients is by a CNA not a nurse, an officer in the military. The nurse is always recognized and the CNA is not!

As an E-4 (SrA) i was told some of the best advice, "It's amazing the work you can do when you don't care who gets the credit". Eventually that person will have to reproduce, and eventually your talent will speak for it's self.

The only award I wanted was the plane ticket home.

Recently I read a book about the USS Tang, WW2 submarine. Written by the captain from his patrol logbooks. It indicated that when he got a silver star he was empowered to give out 2 bronze stars to officers who contributed the most and they, in turn were able to give out lesser awards to enlisted. After the proper paperwork was approved, of coarse. There seemed to be a limit on total awards. It seemed to be a rule, written or unwritten. Can the senior staff be unconsciously handing down this system all these years? Tradition, something which once worked taken to an absurdity.

The absolute worst example I have of this was in the aftermath of the 1st Gulf War. As a SSG NBC NCO everyone came to me for guidance and advice as we were not sure if the Iraqi's were going to use WMD or not. So I was, I would dare say, one of the more valuable and sought after people in the early days of the war. I was busy every day and the BN CDR came to me for advice quite often and even wanted me to be the BN NBC NCO (I was promoted during the deployment). So when we got back, every single officer in a leadership position in the CoC was put in for a Bronze Star and me......an ARCOM! A freaking ARCOM. Well my wife left me before the war ended and when we got back I did not care one bit for the CoC anymore and I told them to stuff their ARCOM. They did and I got nothing. Even my NCOER was crap. Now that is leadership for you folks!

During my 26 years of service, I served as the full time unit member of the National Guard. I did all the paperwork for awards. In that position, I did not see many officers receiving awards. Also,I was a Plt Sgt and in that capacity, I took great care to recognize the enlisted under me. They were the ones that made the officers look good by completing their mission successfully. So to me, it lies in the NCO Corp to recognize the soldiers and make recommendations for awards. Most officers at Battalion and above were the ones to get awards. My opinion is that they need awards to move up or out.

I only care about awards if they get me access to good schools or promotions. I don't really care to much about getting medals it's tedious it's troublesome at least the ceremonies.