Should awards (other than AGCM) be based particularly on good conduct?

That is so very much better than having them be based upon rank. The first MSM I was put in for was when I was in 2d Infantry Division, Korea. The Division CSM kicked it back (How he had a say in it I never understood, as the person that put it in was Division Chief of Staff, a Full Colonel). The Buck slip on the award said "Staff Sergeants do not get MSMs in my Division". Far far too often Awards are based on rank not performance.

Not necessarily Good Conduct, but Rank always played a big role.

Like SSG Roger Ayscue said, I would rather it be conduct and performance than rank. I was told to write my own award when I left Fort Sill. I had been there for 6 years, and worked 7 different duty positions in different specialties. One was even a MSG position. I never had any issues, and not to toot my own horn, but I thought my performance was outstanding. So I wrote myself a solid, truthful 638 for an MSM. It was sent up to the Garrison CSM, who kicked it back because "SSGs don't get MSMs". I pushed the issue and got nowhere of course. However, in lieu of an MSM... I got two ARCOMs.

For a PCS.

TWO ARCOM PCS AWARDS.

So yeah... if nothing else, I wish leaders just went by the regs, and not just their ways of thinking. This is how programs get broken (looking at you, NCOERS).