Challenge Coins

[Retired W4]

There are a lot of veterans on this forum and I know you have a lot of these souvenirs. Here are a few of my favorites. The Joint Reserve Training Center (JRTC) at Ft. Chaffee, AR was commanded by then Col. Jack Keane who was actually quartered at Little Rock AFB. We used to pick him up at LRAFB and take him to Ft. Smith, AR on a regular basis. Time went by and the last time I saw him he had 4 stars and commanded Atlantic Command at Norfolk, VA. Then there is Gen. Schoomaker, USCICSOC. He was a regular on our UC-35's out of Dobbins. I think I have the complete set of the stuff he gave out. The CINC USSOCOM dog tag is probably the most desirable. The M-16 round was a Contra trinket from Honduras. That one stayed on my dog tag chain for the duration of my Army career.

 

[Badger Matt]

My collection. I carry my Phoenix Raven (#18) coin in my wallet.

 

[Retired W4]

My collection. I carry my Phoenix Raven (#18) coin in my wallet.

You would need a suit case to carry all those around, but at least you have all the bases covered.

 

[Targets Guy]

 

[Muss Muggins]

I carry a couple from my professional life . . .

 

[AJ]

Never cared much about challenge coins. I have a few from different units I was in and some that were given it me. I do carry a USMC Silver Dollar in my pocket though.

 

[Retired W4]

The one at the 7:30 position looks like FORSCOM. I have a few of those due to Gen. Schwartz being here at Ft. Mac.

 

[Retired W4]

Never cared much about challenge coins. I have a few from different units I was in and some that were given it me. I do carry a USMC Silver Dollar in my pocket though.

Got one from the Raptors, VMMT 204, USMC. That General liked the UC-35 so much he procured some for the Corps.

 

[Targets Guy]

The one at the 7:30 position looks like FORSCOM. I have a few of those due to Gen. Schwartz being here at Ft. Mac.

That's what it is. Good eye.

 

[AJ]

The case in which the few that I have reside in. The bottom ones mean the most to me as they are for A6's the type of aircraft that i worked on for a long time. The large silver $1.00 coin is an actual coin (on the fourth level from the top) is from the Cook Islands (Queen Elizabeth II is on the back). Was given to me by a friend.

 

[ron_c]

Given in '68.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

I have two Chivas Royal Salute bags full.

I sewed on Chief at Kunsan AB, Republic of Korea -- The Wolf Pack

Some of my favorites came from young ammo troops when I was
stationed at Kunsan. They, and many other young folks "expected"
me to have their coin on me when I saw them at the club.
I always did.

"If you ain't ammo you ain't s..."

I knew many OSI agents through my career. Good folks.

 

[bigwheelzip]

My brother goes the extra mile hosting any of our service members at his NYC restaurant, and treasures the coins he's gotten.

From the USS Bataan, LHD-5. LtoR: Chief Chuck Romano, Capt. Corey Keniston, my brother, and Command Master Chief Scott Harville.

And Captain Christopher Brunett of the USS New York, LPD-21, also gave bro a coin. The ship holds special significance because it was made partially with steel salvaged from the World Trade Center ruins.

 

[lihpster]

Never having served, the best I can do is a Toys For Tots souveneir coin with the Marine Corps symbol one one side. Still, it outranks a laundry token.

 

[Targets Guy]

 

[mstem]

My son who retired after 20 yrs as a First Sergeant has at least 100 of them. His most prized is from General Hugh Shelton when the General was Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff & Andy was Commander of the Third Relief, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery. His badge # is 482. Next time he comes down I'll have him bring them so I can get pics of them.

 

[Sgt911]

When President Bush passed away, some of his Secret Service detail worked out at the gym I am a member of. On the last day, one of them gave a challenge coin to the kid that works as a manager there. He looked at me like "what is this?" I explained to him the significance of it and told him to never lose it.

 

[JJEH]

After 20+ years of service in the Army my wife has accumulated quiet a few coins. That's not even all in that picture. But I'm honestly not sure which ones are her favorite or mean the most to her.... but it better be the AFRICOM one, that's where she worked when we met

I Germany we didn't do coins, don't think they'll ever start. So I got my first coin from a friend who was a witness to our marriage. So that one means a lot to me.

The others that mean something to me are the ones that I earned through my work.

Working for TLSC-E in Germany. My superior was gone on vacation for 2 weeks and under my supervision our maintenance shop was made ready for inspection and passed first time around. Felt good getting it but I know it was meant for my boss, he just wasn't there at that time.

Police Academy in Oklahoma.

TOPS Knives 20th Anniversary. This was given to me by TOPS General Manager after my online advertising for TOPS. These were not and are not available for purchase, they were given out.

 

[Henric]

My father's favorite challenge coin was from my last commanding officer during my last year in Okinawa. He was an LT Colonel and he gave me his coin when he got awarded a NAM for doing some fancy schmancy stuff.

 

[pmanton]

I was in 55-75 before these came into use. I think they're kinda neat.

 

[motor51]

I have quite a few but here are a couple of my more unique ones.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[AJ]

I have quite a few but here are a couple of my more unique ones.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

A friend of mine has a Niece stationed with HMX-1 Security. She is a SSgt. Will probably make Gunnery Sgt. the next promotion board.

 

[bgrafsr]

Never understood them, and don't own any, nor do I want to. The PD I was on has/had them, didn't care then, don't care now.

 

[SS336]

Nice collections. They are very cool.
I was in the Navy from 64-68 and never got a coin, maybe they weren't a thing back then.
But the Captain of the my first submarine, SS336, gave me my dolphins when I qualified. They were very nice and made out of sterling silver.
When my son qualified on submarines I gave them to him.

 

[326MOD10]

Some very nice coins in this thread.

I received 3 Company coins (all the same design) from Korea when I was in for various things. (Photos)

Also received a smaller nickel sized coin that was given out by the Battalion Commander. Made the mistake of making it key chain ready but on the bright side always have it with me.

While I was at Ft Stewart (2-70th) I received a coin as well.

No picture of that because after I got out I worked with a Korean War Veteran who served with that unit in Korea.

I thought the coin was more deserved by him.

Have several from PD days because when they
took the Military idea and ran with it coins were a dime a dozen and given out like candy.

 

[robvious]

I belong to a small car group that had them made... so technically I bought mine.. but they are beautiful...

 

[chief38]

I have a few that friends (LEO's) gave me but never quite understood why they had them made up in the first place. Kudos to whoever invented and manufactures the coins & concept - their the BIG winner! LOL!

 

[BlackAgnes]

Some of mine...

 

[Onomea]

What is the purpose of challenge coins, and why are they called "challenge coins?"

I am sort of vaguely aware of them, but don't understand them. (No military or LE experience in my case.)

They look nice. Sorta a memento of a shared experience, are they?

 

[two-bit cowboy]

What is the purpose of challenge coins, and why are they called "challenge coins?"
...
Sorta a memento of a shared experience, are they?

One man's opinion.

I carry one to represent my "service."

As I recall the story they originated to show unity -- every member of a "unit" had one and would carry it. "Camaraderie." "Belonging."

I like the unit coins the best, typically a squadron in the Air Force is the smallest "unit," but career field specific coins are popular, too.

Often, as you've seen in this thread a general/admiral or highly placed enlisted person will have their own coin and hand it out to folks who make an impression. I have a fair few of those, but I've never been much of a fan. It always seemed to be a "oooh, look at me" maneuver from the person handing out the coins.

I'm sure others might have different views.

The "challenge" part comes into play in the bar (and perhaps some other venues). If a person presents his/her coin on the bar, usually with some fanfare and a loud slap, others in the group must present their coin. The one (or ones) without a coin buys the round. If everyone in present company presents a coin, the challenger has to buy.