Military peeps, edjumacate me.

[Anjdog2003]

I have 5 silver dollar coins 1878 -1882. I think that's when OldBen served.

[slewfoot]

Originally Posted by Ronins2ndCuzzin

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]

Originally Posted by Ronins2ndCuzzin

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.

[VITE1]

Originally Posted by slewfoot

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.

[VITE1]

I just found this.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Inside-...ow-it-started/

[Ronins2ndCuzzin]

Originally Posted by ZipZap

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]

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]

I have Rumsfeld's coin and Gate's coin.

Both have their names on it.

[DJ_Critterus]

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]

Originally Posted by z06psi

I have Rumsfeld's coin and Gate's coin.

Both have their names on it.

They're not military.

[z06psi]

Originally Posted by Ronins2ndCuzzin

They're not military.

[z06psi]

Originally Posted by DJ_Critterus

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]

Originally Posted by Ronins2ndCuzzin

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]

Originally Posted by z06psi

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]

Originally Posted by ZipZap

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?

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.

[PLRX]

Originally Posted by TheRealBadger

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.

Throw that shit away, that ****er was a waste. The whole W administration was a collective limp dick.

[z06psi]

Originally Posted by PLRX

Throw that shit away, that ****er was a waste. The whole W administration was a collective limp dick.

Troof

[Ronins2ndCuzzin]

Originally Posted by z06psi

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]

Originally Posted by TheRealBadger

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]

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.