Challenge coin question

#1 Postby **Cookiely** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 10:00 pm

Do you need to use the challenge coin for the service and area you are presently stationed or can you use other coins for other areas and other ranks?

#2 Postby **coriolis** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 7:51 am

TexasStooge · #3 Postby **TexasStooge** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 9:05 am

OK, now I'm confused.

GalvestonDuck · #4 Postby **GalvestonDuck** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 9:19 am

It's a military thing -- lots of legends and traditions behind how it is used, to whom it can be given, how it can be used as a form of ID (since possession can somehow prove allegiance to the armed services), and other stuff I don't quite get. I remember seeing something about it in a WWII movie. When the soldiers were drinking, they would pull them out and "challenge" the others to show theirs. There was a soldier who was caught behind enemy lines and they took his uniform and dogtags, but not the coin he was carrying. Later, when he escaped, he was able to prove to allies that he was American because of the coin.

Maybe someone else in the service can explain better and answer cookiely's question.

https://www.youtube.com/user/senorpepr · #5 Postby **senorpepr** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 4:43 am

Cookiely, I've always understood you were to carry your current organizational coin, as a form of identification, as GalvestonDuck mention. However, I know many who carry a specific coin that means a lot to them, such as a general's coin or a presidential coin. Personally, I keep the coin of my current unit on me.

However, when it comes to a challenge, the important thing is that you have a coin, regardless to the unit. If anything, it will spur a conversation on how you got that coin. And, more importantly, the challenger owes you a drink!

To those who are completely clueless to what a challenge coin is... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Challenge_coin

It's a military tradition, stemming from the Army Air Service days. You'll have a hard time finding a servicemember, especially in the AF, that doesn't have a challenge coin. As for the drinks involved in a coin check--they don't have to be alcoholic. As a "morale booster," someone pull do a coin check for sodas. Anyone with a coin gets a soda of their choice from the challenger. Anyone without buys the challenger a soda of his/her choice.

#6 Postby **Cookiely** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 6:24 am

senorpepr wrote:Cookiely, I've always understood you were to carry your current organizational coin, as a form of identification, as GalvestonDuck mention. However, I know many who carry a specific coin that means a lot to them, such as a general's coin or a presidential coin. Personally, I keep the coin of my current unit on me.

However, when it comes to a challenge, the important thing is that you have a coin, regardless to the unit. If anything, it will spur a conversation on how you got that coin. And, more importantly, the challenger owes you a drink!

To those who are completely clueless to what a challenge coin is... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Challenge_coin

It's a military tradition, stemming from the Army Air Service days. You'll have a hard time finding a servicemember, especially in the AF, that doesn't have a challenge coin. As for the drinks involved in a coin check--they don't have to be alcoholic. As a "morale booster," someone pull do a coin check for sodas. Anyone with a coin gets a soda of their choice from the challenger. Anyone without buys the challenger a soda of his/her choice.

My friend is stationed at Minot and he is collecting coins but I wasn't sure if the coin had to be from his unit if challenged. Thank you so much for the info. I hope my poor baby isn't working today, its 30 below zero wind chill. He's a grown man in charge of sixty men but I remember changing his diapers and I worry about him.

https://www.youtube.com/user/senorpepr · #7 Postby **senorpepr** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 1:06 pm

Oh dear... anyone stationed at Minot during the winter has my complete sympathy. :wink:

azsnowman · #8 Postby **azsnowman** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 6:40 pm

Hold your horses there AFLAC :lol:

It's not JUST limited to the military, law enforcement has them also. K9 officers, detectives, line officers...we all got 'em too 8-)

But you 'splained it pretty darn well though

#9 Postby **Cookiely** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 10:51 pm

azsnowman wrote:Hold your horses there AFLAC

It's not JUST limited to the military, law enforcement has them also. K9 officers, detectives, line officers...we all got 'em too But you 'splained it pretty darn well though

I love the information that we learn from each other. I have a friend that's with the FBI so maybe an unusual challenge coin would be a nice gift.

#10 Postby **O Town** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 12:14 pm

Interesting, I had no idea what you were talking about either Cookiely. Learn something new everyday I guess.
My dad was in the AF, I am now going to ask him about his challenge coin, or if he even has one. If I know my dad I am sure he does. I want to hear about it and look at it.

VanceWxMan · #11 Postby **VanceWxMan** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 8:44 am

When a challenge is issued and everyone has a round-object then the person with the highest ranking round-object wins. I am still working on getting the POTUS round-object...what can beat that?

I have a 1 star round-object that is my highest ranking one thus far.

BTW at some locations where the game is played one can't say coi# or you buy rounds for everyone in the room.

H733Driver · #12 Postby **H733Driver** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 10:21 pm

[quote]I am still working on getting the POTUS round-object...what can beat that?[quote]

Yeah...me too...I've been in and around the DC area for 3 1/2 years now and still trying.

The best I've got is from our current 4-star, ADM Thad Allen, COMDT of the CG...and equally important (since I was a BM at one point in my career prior to OCS) is the coin from MCPO-CG "Skip" Bowen...

#13 Postby **Cookiely** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 11:10 pm

H733Driver wrote:
I am still working on getting the POTUS round-object...what can beat that?

Yeah...me too...I've been in and around the DC area for 3 1/2 years now and still trying.

The best I've got is from our current 4-star, ADM Thad Allen, COMDT of the CG...and equally important (since I was a BM at one point in my career prior to OCS) is the coin from MCPO-CG "Skip" Bowen...

http://tinyurl.com/yyhqbw
President Clinton Challenge coin on ebay.
http://tinyurl.com/ykvqkm
President Bush Challenge coin on ebay.
Is this what you were looking for?

JenBayles · #14 Postby **JenBayles** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 9:41 am

How fun! Thanks for the new brain wrinkles everyone.

#15 Postby **alicia-w** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:19 am

Thanks! My Clinton coin is on the way!

We have tons of them from all the different projects we work, as well as awards from the Wing Commander. They are very neat collectibles too.

#16 Postby **pojo** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 7:53 pm

In the Aircrew field of work... if there is a challenge and you don't have it... you are buying a round. If you challenge and everyone has their coins.... you buy.

Its usually the squadron you are attached to.. if not, the base coin.... I always carry my Hurricane Hunters coin on me.... I've been busted a few times... I don't want that to happen again... that was an expensive night.

As for coin rankings.... I have Gen Pace's pentagon shaped coin... (4 star General Peter Pace Joint Chief of Staff).. that's the highest I have.

Challenge coin question

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