Why is it so hard to get an award?

SPC (Join to see) This is always a tough discussion because so many people rely on perception to evaluate worth and compare that perception to the worth of others getting the same award.
You may not be getting awards simply because what you perceive to be "hard work" is not to the level or perception of hard work that the people around you perceive as meeting the standard for an ARCOM or AAM.
First step for you is to review the award criteria for both the AAM and the ARCOM (the two most commonly awarded during peacetime operations) and realistically evaluate whether your performance has met that criteria. AR 600-8-2 states the following for:
AAM: "meritorious service or achievement of a lesser degree than required for award of the ARCOM"; and ARCOM: "heroism, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service"
Additionally, the AR goes on to define who can recommend: "The recommending official must have been senior in grade or have first-hand personal knowledge of the event, at the time of the action(s) or service, to the individual being recommended for an award."
So if you perceive your performance has met a degree of "meritorious achievement" or your service can be characterized as "meritorious", then the disconnect lies with the perception of those who are "senior in grade or have first-hand personal knowledge of" the service or achievement. In this case, I would follow the advice of CMSgt (Join to see) and get a feel for what constitutes "meritorious". The worst thing you could do is say, "But so-and-so got an AAM for doing nothing or less than me". This assumes you witnessed the entirety of that Soldiers' service or achievements and are the sole authority of whether that service or achievement was meritorious and your opinion outweighs the recommender's.
At the bare minimum, you may qualify for a Good Conduct Medal if you "distinguish [yourself] from among [your] fellow Soldiers by exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity" over a period of 3 years.
[Real-talk] Do Soldiers get overlooked for awards? Yes. Does is appear that some Soldiers get recognized for b.s. achievements? Yes. Is the Army fair, equitable, and rational when it comes to recognizing its members' achievements? Unfortunately, no. The thing to take form this is that we learn a lot from other leaders' mistakes. If you are ever in a position of leadership, ensure that you let your Soldiers know what qualifies and stick to it. I never advise making it rain pretty colored ribbons, that just de-values the awards themselves, but I can see the frustration that unbalanced recognition causes when one Commander gives them out like candy and another sticks to hardline criteria or the BN set quotas.
Stay positive, do your job to the best of your ability, and strive to exceed Army standards and become a consummate professional. Never perform to other peoples' negative expectations of your performance. I can't guarantee someone will take notice and pat you on the back, but I can guarantee that at least you know you lived up to the old Army motto, "Be all you can be" and you will look back on your service with pride.

Ask your supervisor how you can exceed his/her expectations.

Awards have their place, a lot of leadership will say the soldier was just doing their job. I have known several soldiers that far exceeded the standard that have never been rewarded. One word laziness on the part of the leadership to write the bullets for the award. I’ll get off my soapbox now.

It's not hard to get an award...per say. You have to set yourself apart from your peers and accept missions, tasks, duties that go above and beyond your expected level without prompt. You have to amaze and bedazzle your leaders, proving to them you deserve an award.

In a nutshell, it's all about level of responsibility and impact on the mission(s) your action(s) have to warrant an award or not.

Tough question my friend

Some Commands hand out awards like candy... others you have to bust your tail for years to get an award. That being said, you'll have to be recognized as doing something above & beyond to get an impact award. The Army award system, It's kind of subjective... even though it shouldn't be.

Get selected as the Soldier of the month/Quarter, make the Commandant's List at BLC, volunteer for the tough jobs no one else wants to do. And keep track of your accomplishments, you should at least be put in for a PCS Award if you've performed well in your unit when you PCS. When I was prior service (Enlisted), in Germany my supervisor put me in for an ARCOM, but it was downgraded to an AAM by the BDE CDR since I didn't have any prior awards.

Just keep on chopping wood, you'll get some awards if you keep up a good effort/attitude for your unit, I'm sure.

Going and working hard is only half the battle when seeking any recognition with the military. Going above and beyond the call of duty is where you’ll see your recognition. Now, understand that even if you don’t receive an award for something you think would earn you merit for doesn’t matter. Proving that you deserve it is more rewarding than expecting anything. Also, take on responsibility when you can. You being a Specialist doesn’t exactly help you take on any responsibilities, but showing that you can may help.

Best of luck.

I raised my hand once, when they asked who could type. I discovered the secret to get an award is "who you know" or "who you bl**. I noticed higher ups nominated each other for awards and some of the laziest but very pretty girls got them along with the office pogies. Just like High School... the popular kids got the awards and attention Same in the Military. My job was to type the citations. Most were BS.. threw some in the trash...

When the award citations are being read what are the awards for ?

It’s a though call but sometimes it’s command driven. Most the marines and FMF sailors I deployed with to OIF got their CAR, campion ribbon and sea service that was it. Nobody got anything period with a few exceptions.

When I did an IA to OEF I got an award for an event, a mid tour and end of tour. They were much more relaxed and I was asked what I wanted for my mid and end of tour.

I would say go above and beyond and someone will notice.