To get awards/medals quicker, such as 12 kills with a blaster rifle gets an elite rifle, get the award/medal for something about 40 times, and you will get the award/medal quicker each time! So instead of 6 kills with a pistol for a better one, you only need 4 kills! (This is when you achieve the elite rank for an award/medal, and gets you to the rank of legendery quicker.Then you get to keep your award forever!)