Why is it that one person in the unit initiates change, is never recognized, and yet the Commander (who sent it up) gets all the praise?

Because the Commander is responsible for both the successes and the failures in the unit. That being said, if your NCOs are worth a damn, you will get recognized if your "change" is worth a damn.

A good leader 1) gives credit to the subordinates who deserves it 2) accepts responsibility for failure, even if he wasn't directly responsible for the failure.

I hope I was known as one who gave credit to those it was due and took the blame for things that went wrong.