Hey everyone, back again from my annual summer break, though truth be told my posts will probably be a bit dry until I stop moving around so much. Anyway, the post is about the coin, so let's get into it. Here we have my Airman's coin, which I earned on 7/9/2025, three weeks ago to the day. I was a Gator (320th TRS), I lucked out getting Disneyland. I may be biased, but I also would wager we had the best MTIs- the kind you look up to, but not the kind you aren't scared of. They were skilled, no doubt. Maybe it had something to do with my first flight having three MTI trainers pushing our flight. It's not my first challenge coin, but it's the first challenge coin I earned. I would say it's the least expensive coin I own, but truth be told, I paid for it with ten weeks of my life and a promise for several more, so it's probably the other way around. Anyway, I didn't really have the high-tech photography setup (books and sticky notes) so the photo is kind of bad, but I did my best. On the Obverse, there's the Air Force symbol with the Air Force Motto above it. Interestingly, the center part is convex with resin making a bit of a dome over the Air Force logo. The reverse has the core values of Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do. It's stayed the same since the tradition began. I'm assuming here, but it's probably been done from the beginning since the Air Force is so new (1947). I'm not entirely sure what metals it's made out of, but it's not light as far as coins go. I don't have much more to say except I'm pretty proud of this achievement and I'm glad I can show it off!
Very cool, and congrats on having earned that! I've owned a number of these types of coins, and most of them seem to be made from a generic bronze type material. Your's is color-enameled on both sides, which is nice. There are a host of companies that will custom make coins like this. I'd assume your unit contracted to buy a few hundred or thousand. The (Navy) unit that I work with has done the same - we give a coin to each person who reports to the unit. (no stolen valor - I am a civilian contractor working with a Navy unit, I am not military myself). As you progress through your career, keep hold of each coin you get. I get some senior Navy personnel come through my office and they have a really cool display of 20-30 challenge coins they've picked up over the years, and they always have a bunch of cool stories to tell about each one. Shoot, even as a civilian contractor I've got about 10 and can spin a good yarn.
I was in the Air Force back in the 60's. All we got at graduation was orders. Participation awards had not been developed yet. Nice coin. I hope you have a rewarding career in the USAF.
