View Full Version : Military peeps, edjumacate me.
Loco Vette
10-07-2023, 7:59pm
Went to a wedding today. Father of the groom (who I did not know prior to today) gave me this. Interwebs tells me it is a challenge coin. Is that a respect sign or what? Asking from ignorance.
markids77
10-07-2023, 8:05pm
It is a right of admittance to the giver's "inner circle". It signifies you have been accepted as a decent human being, and are now, sorta, a member of the "family".
ricks327
10-07-2023, 8:45pm
Interesting, are related to the bride?
slewfoot
10-07-2023, 9:23pm
https://i.imgur.com/cHI1BTM.jpg
There are thousands of challenge coins. I have an aviation coin but for the most part in this day and age, don't come close to their original intent to prove who you are. Just a novelty now
Challenge coin - Wikipedia.
https://i.imgur.com/cHI1BTM.jpg
There are thousands of challenge coins. I have an aviation coin but for the most part in this day and age, don't come close to their original intent to prove who you are. Just a novelty now
Challenge coin - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Challenge_coin).
:iagree: Challenge coins have been bastardized and are highly overrated today. I remember when they actually meant something. How the hell did they get to a point where an O-6 thinks he needs to make them for himself? He surely thinks highly of himself.
Raazor
10-07-2023, 10:19pm
That's a nice gesture :thumbs:
slewfoot
10-07-2023, 10:25pm
:iagree: Challenge coins have been bastardized and are highly overrated today. I remember when they actually meant something. How the hell did they get to a point where an O-6 thinks he needs to make them for himself? He surely thinks highly of himself.
Bet he has a hell of a "I Love Me" wall! :D
ZipZap
10-07-2023, 10:39pm
That's the weirdest coin I've ever seen.
Even when a flag officer creates a coin, it is a unit coin of some type. And their name is NEVER on the coin. It's about the mission, not the person. An O-6 with a personal coin?:rofl:
Hope his son is more successful, and humble, than his dad.
Louie Detroit
10-07-2023, 11:58pm
Semper Fi
Broken Wind
10-08-2023, 6:16am
Semper Fi
X2
Frankie the Fink
10-08-2023, 7:39am
:iagree: Challenge coins have been bastardized and are highly overrated today. I remember when they actually meant something. How the hell did they get to a point where an O-6 thinks he needs to make them for himself? He surely thinks highly of himself.
Unfortunately, about on a par with those penny stretching machines at arcades and theme parks...
Loco Vette
10-08-2023, 9:15am
It is a right of admittance to the giver's "inner circle". It signifies you have been accepted as a decent human being, and are now, sorta, a member of the "family".
Thanks bud!
Bet he has a hell of a "I Love Me" wall! :D
That's the weirdest coin I've ever seen.
Even when a flag officer creates a coin, it is a unit coin of some type. And their name is NEVER on the coin. It's about the mission, not the person. An O-6 with a personal coin?:rofl:
Hope his son is more successful, and humble, than his dad.
Unfortunately, about on a par with those penny stretching machines at arcades and theme parks...
:iagree: No kidding. An O-6 walking around with personalized coins!! :rofl::rofl::rofl:
:iagree: No kidding. An O-6 walking around with personalized coins!! :rofl::rofl::rofl:
Did a search on the Colonel. Logistics officer.
lrobe22
10-08-2023, 11:44am
Ego novelty for him.
Did a search on the Colonel. Logistics officer.
OK...that deserves this: :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:
If you are drinking and get challenged, ensure you have a coin. If you do not, you buy a round.
That's a Colonel; I guess he liked you. I would give a coin to someone who hasn't proven anything to me. Is he gay?
I only have one personal challenge; the CG and I spoke for about 2 minutes (that's a lot of time for a General) and gave me one when I was awarded the MOS section of the west in 2007. I won that competition for four years (2005-2008) in a row.
Rodnok1
10-08-2023, 1:46pm
I have one for work I did for General's staff during a spin up somewhere around here.
They used to be rare as hens teeth, seem they dish them out alot now so to me it's lost it special meaning.
markids77
10-08-2023, 7:25pm
I have 2 coins from a local PD. A very dear friend passed "In the line of duty".
I got one coin from his Chief, and one from the widow.
I cherish both, and his memory as well.
Ronins2ndCuzzin
10-08-2023, 9:26pm
Damn so much confusing lingo here. Yes...it's a challenge coin. It means what others have said. It's a traditional thing. If you are ever at a drinking establishment and someone pulls out a coin, and you don't have one...the round is on you. That's how they work. Over a 20 year career, I have about two dozen, personally awarded from various Commanders, Generals, and Leaders. They can really come from any rank. Any squadron/Company commander has his...chiefs, even first sergeants, all have theirs. Hell, I was only an E-6, but I ran a flight of 50+ and I had my own coins minted. They ARE important. Don't scoff it off like he doesn't respect you, or it's insignificant. That would be like spitting in his face. Coins are important. Treat it with respect, and you will be respected, that is the point.
Anjdog2003
10-08-2023, 10:09pm
I have 5 silver dollar coins 1878 -1882. I think that's when OldBen served. :yesnod:
slewfoot
10-08-2023, 10:26pm
Damn so much confusing lingo here. Yes...it's a challenge coin. It means what others have said. It's a traditional thing. If you are ever at a drinking establishment and someone pulls out a coin, and you don't have one...the round is on you. That's how they work. Over a 20 year career, I have about two dozen, personally awarded from various Commanders, Generals, and Leaders. They can really come from any rank. Any squadron/Company commander has his...chiefs, even first sergeants, all have theirs. Hell, I was only an E-6, but I ran a flight of 50+ and I had my own coins minted. They ARE important. Don't scoff it off like he doesn't respect you, or it's insignificant. That would be like spitting in his face. Coins are important. Treat it with respect, and you will be respected, that is the point.
Frankly, when I served as Flying Warrant from 75-97, I never heard of Challenge coins nor did I ever see anyone talk about, give or receive one.
From what I read, it was useful back in the WW wars when someone was captured or something and the GI had no ID and the coin served as ID.
Only in recent years have I read up on it all and seems pretty much what you said above.
ZipZap
10-08-2023, 10:43pm
Damn so much confusing lingo here. Yes...it's a challenge coin. It means what others have said. It's a traditional thing. If you are ever at a drinking establishment and someone pulls out a coin, and you don't have one...the round is on you. That's how they work. Over a 20 year career, I have about two dozen, personally awarded from various Commanders, Generals, and Leaders. They can really come from any rank. Any squadron/Company commander has his...chiefs, even first sergeants, all have theirs. Hell, I was only an E-6, but I ran a flight of 50+ and I had my own coins minted. They ARE important. Don't scoff it off like he doesn't respect you, or it's insignificant. That would be like spitting in his face. Coins are important. Treat it with respect, and you will be respected, that is the point.
How many had an actual person's name on them?
I have many, including one with recovered film from space embedded in the center. NONE have names. Many have Flags, and all have the unit represented where I, theoretically, performed at a level that was admirable. Anybody passing out coins to folks for attending a wedding is lame beyond words. By the time I retired, pretty much every exec in the AF was tasked with getting unit coins that were sold for the "morale fund". That's pretty much the party fund in an individual unit. These are not the same as the coins presented for accomplishments. Col did the same thing; had some company make coins. Problem is, they are meaningless. Expect more from that branch.
Frankly, when I served as Flying Warrant from 75-97, I never heard of Challenge coins nor did I ever see anyone talk about, give or receive one.
From what I read, it was useful back in the WW wars when someone was captured or something and the GI had no ID and the coin served as ID.
Only in recent years have I read up on it all and seems pretty much what you said above.
My father and godfather never heard of them. Both were WWII and Korean war combat vets.
I just found this.
https://www.defense.gov/News/Inside-DOD/Blog/Article/2567302/the-challenge-coin-tradition-do-you-know-how-it-started/
Ronins2ndCuzzin
10-09-2023, 6:41pm
How many had an actual person's name on them?
I have many, including one with recovered film from space embedded in the center. NONE have names. Many have Flags, and all have the unit represented where I, theoretically, performed at a level that was admirable. Anybody passing out coins to folks for attending a wedding is lame beyond words. By the time I retired, pretty much every exec in the AF was tasked with getting unit coins that were sold for the "morale fund". That's pretty much the party fund in an individual unit. These are not the same as the coins presented for accomplishments. Col did the same thing; had some company make coins. Problem is, they are meaningless. Expect more from that branch.
I do agree with you there. Handing them out arbitrarily is not very couth.
None of the coins I've earned or been given have names on them. Only positions. Presented by the Commander, the Chief, the General, etc.
RedLS1GTO
10-10-2023, 10:09am
I agree with the folks saying that they've not seem them with an individual's name.
Every one that I've seen and received was from a position, usually a specific command. And yes, I have on occasion seen the challenge thrown down at drinking establishments. The order of precedence of the coin was based on the relative rank of the person in command. For example, a coin from a command with an O6 CO > a command with an O5.
I was given a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff coin years ago after a mission. I used to carry the STRATCOM coin ... just in case. Usually it was good enough to get out of buying the round. I do have a buddy with a POTUS coin. Bastard certainly took advantage of getting free drinks with it.
z06psi
10-23-2023, 10:15am
I have Rumsfeld's coin and Gate's coin.
Both have their names on it. :confused5:
DJ_Critterus
10-23-2023, 10:37am
I have a coin from the 1st SEAC (Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs). didn't hurt that we were both in the same Shriners club together and I built his gokart to match his clown outfit.
Also got a couple of 4-star coins, too. So far I have never had to pay for drinks.
Ronins2ndCuzzin
10-23-2023, 11:49am
I have Rumsfeld's coin and Gate's coin.
Both have their names on it. :confused5:
They're not military.
z06psi
10-23-2023, 12:29pm
They're not military.
:Jeff '79::Jeff '79::Jeff '79:
z06psi
10-23-2023, 12:30pm
I have a coin from the 1st SEAC (Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs). didn't hurt that we were both in the same Shriners club together and I built his gokart to match his clown outfit.
Also got a couple of 4-star coins, too. So far I have never had to pay for drinks.
Really a squid thing.
z06psi
10-23-2023, 12:31pm
They're not military.
O.k. how about a CSA Pete Schoomaker coin?
Or a SMA Chandler coin?
I have about 200 more if you want me to look at all of them.
DJ_Critterus
10-23-2023, 12:45pm
O.k. how about a CSA Pete Schoomaker coin?
Or a SMA Chandler coin?
I have about 200 more if you want me to look at all of them.
chandler poured a round of beer at my house once for me and SEAC CSM Gainey in Killeen when I was painting Gainey's go-kart. Nice guy.
TheRealBadger
10-23-2023, 12:58pm
That's the weirdest coin I've ever seen.
Even when a flag officer creates a coin, it is a unit coin of some type. And their name is NEVER on the coin. It's about the mission, not the person. An O-6 with a personal coin?:rofl:
Hope his son is more successful, and humble, than his dad.
Interesting. That’s actually not what I’ve seen. All the ones I have from flag officers have their name on it . And that goes back about 25 years. Wondering when that changed. I have one from Rumsfeld and it has his name.
But a colonel? No. Nope. Nada.
Interesting. That’s actually not what I’ve seen. All the ones I have from flag officers have their name on it . And that goes back about 25 years. Wondering when that changed. I have one from Rumsfeld and it has his name.
But a colonel? No. Nope. Nada.
:blah:
Throw that shit away, that ****er was a waste. The whole W administration was a collective limp dick.
:blah:
Throw that shit away, that ****er was a waste. The whole W administration was a collective limp dick.
:funnier::funnier::funnier::funnier:
Troof
Ronins2ndCuzzin
10-23-2023, 10:13pm
O.k. how about a CSA Pete Schoomaker coin?
Or a SMA Chandler coin?
I have about 200 more if you want me to look at all of them.
Must be before my time...never heard of any of those people.
ZipZap
10-23-2023, 11:51pm
Interesting. That’s actually not what I’ve seen. All the ones I have from flag officers have their name on it . And that goes back about 25 years. Wondering when that changed. I have one from Rumsfeld and it has his name.
But a colonel? No. Nope. Nada.
All mine have a flag. With stars. No names.
Frankie the Fink
10-24-2023, 8:39am
I got a National Defense Medal and an Army Commendation Medal (a personal and not "unit" award) and a college degree from the military - I need nothing more and certainly no "challenge" coin....I don't get that at all.
69camfrk
10-24-2023, 9:05am
Bet he has a hell of a "I Love Me" wall! :D
It of course used to be a token of appreciation for a job well done..and well, the whole thing at the bar...O-6's are generally pretty proud of themselves. I have one from a 4 star for appreciation for interior refurbishment of a KC-135R back in the day. Just to hand one out because of ego....well, it is what it is.
Must be before my time...never heard of any of those people.
Schoomaker was 2006.
They, specifically Rumsfeld, brought his ass out of retirement.
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