To answer your questions in numerical order -
1/ Weapon awards such as marksman,sharpshooter and expert are used for progression in rank if you check out the rank requirements within CAG.These awards at first where laid out to be the same but under discussion between Cheech and myself it was agreed that these division awards couldn't be further from the same as earning these awards for the division are based on completing missions and not weapons.
2/ All awards threads are posted within their own Company relevant ie CoD Alpha have their own forum to post their awards,so do Bravo,Whiskey and Victor.These sub forums are typically named awards and medals under each Companies name.
3/Not discouraging input here at all as im all for input and discussion on the forums.There has been discussion happening regarding these award elsewhere on the forums(forums you cannot see as a recruit).Cheech is talking about brainstorming emblems or images for the award but like I said previous input is still relevant as you may find that images may be useful to him.
4/Everyone on the forums as im sure you'll understand has other things that come forefront before gaming.The discussions regarding this subject are continually taking place even though you may not be able to see the discussion itself.It takes time to get things like this rolling as every detail has to be agreed upon to suit both CAG and its members alike.With this i ask for patience.
5/ The lay out of the last award being no deaths I feel it shouldn't need to change.
First I want to go over the death scenario,within the division we have two stages of death.One where your agent goes down,is mobile and the revive is really quick and the other is when your agent goes down,ends up incapacitated and the revive is much longer.With all the awards when we talk about deaths we are talking about the state in which your agent becomes incapacitated and needs the longer revive.I have run quite a few missions with CAG BIG COUNTRY as dailys on Challenging and avoided the long ass deaths,so i feel it is achievable with a full squad working together as a team.Also the 3rd of the awards has to be difficult as its the last of the 3 and has to respect the name its going to be known as ie "elite".
Hope this answers you adequately enough.