Military Challenge Coin Challenge

My Navy Challenge Coins

Great thread. I am not really a collector of challenge coins, but as a 16 year career military officer, Navy Commander, I have started to collect quite a few over the past years. Challenge coins have only become popular in the Navy in the last 6-8 years, but have taken off like gang-busters.

I got my first coin in 2002 for winning a petroleum management award...DOD, not Navy. First the ships started to get them and give them out and then seems "events" are giving them as tokens. I have seen bottle opener ones, ones shaped like dog tags and people are now trying to design more unique coins.

Just before my Grandfather died, he gave me some coins and that got me started into coin collecting and I really wished I had the background on them. So I decided that I would write how I came to acquire the challenge coins so someday my Sons would know a little about them. Put them in 3.5 x 3.5 flips and wrote on back how I got them. Here are some pictures of my total book and will give closer pictures of single coins that look cool.

 

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Unit and Event Coins or Tokens

Here are some closer shots of some of collection.

1- USS Truman aircraft carrier - my boss was Supply Officer on this ship.

2- This coin was given as a party favor at the Supply Corps Birthday ball in Philadelphia - great looking numbered coin that has the liberty bell on it. Love this one.

3- Special coin for me. Combined Joint Task Force- Horn of Africa. Got sent to Djibouti to work for the Army for 6 months and we had these coins made - front and back shown.

4- USS Seawolf submarine. Nice looking detailed front.

5- Got this coin from the Air Force for the Logistics Officer Association. Has a neat enamel front with Hawaii design and colors.

Hope you enjoy.

 

Flag Officer Coins

Here are some coins that I received from Generals and Admirals over the past few years:

1- Served on the Commander, Pacific Fleet staff in Hawaii and ADM Willard gave me this coin for running his change of command.

2- 7th Fleet coin out of Japan - amazing detail

3- Head logistics officer coin for Chief of Naval Operations - VADM Loose. He gave this to me when he came to Philadelphia and I escorted him around. One of the most detailed fronts of any coin I have. One of my favorites.

4- Commander's coin from my current command - Naval Inventory Control Point, Philadelphia. Have several of these and photo shows front and back.

5- Air Force - Pacific Air Forces shaped like dog tag. Nice coin, but not a lot of eye appeal. Got this from General Bruno when I worked for him on a Joint Task Force.

That's about it. Let me know if you want to see any other specific ones from binder pictures. Thanks.

 

Just had a quick question, What were the circumstances behind receiving
A Military challenge coin?

 

How do you get.

Not sure about how you get them in the Army, but here is what I have observed in the Navy. Three ways to get them:

1) Given to you by a Commander or a Command as an "award". Because they use in most cases command appropriated dollars which are very strictly monitored and enforced, there are rules that have to be followed. Can't cost more than a certain amount and when the commander gives them he must record the person's name and why. Records are audited yearly. Similar to getting a medal for your uniform, but certainly not the same.

2) You can buy one from the command's store or other organization like the Chief Petty Officer's Mess.

3) Given by organizations as party favors or for participating in a conference or other event.

That's pretty much it for Navy.

 

I think one given by a commander or command would be much
More special

 

Nice coins commander. Most of mine are army since I was BOG during my last deployment. I got one from my CO on CVN-74 and I got my first one from Force Masterchief of Naval education and training because he ran Battle stations with us in Bootcamp.

~HT2

 

Officers (at least in Army tradition) are expected to possess and carry the coin of their current unit at all times. So typically a newly assigned officer is presented with the unit's coin by the commanding officer shortly after arriving. This typically happens at a "hail and farewell" ceremony where the new officers are welcomed to the unit and the departing officers are honored for the past service. That is how I obtained many of my coins.

Unit coins can also be awarded for exemplary service during temporary duty assignments or in recognition of other accomplishments. I have several that I received after being temporarily attached to certain units during deployments or training exercises.

Also, general officers tend to give their coins out more as souveniers, not so much as actual "challenge" coins.

 

Hmmm, that's interesting. I've never seen where you could buy one in the Army. The only way (that I was ever aware of) to get a coin in the Army was to have it presented to you.

 

Those are some impressive coins, debordj! I love seeing all the different coins and designs from the various military branches. I love your idea about the book too. I'll have to do the same thing with mine. Thanks for the great idea!

 

Very nice coins guys. I was in the Air Force a Little over 4 years. 03-07 did two tours in Iraq driving convoys and convoy security. Here are a few coins I got along the way.

 

Very cool, 03silvergt! :thumb:

 

Love the Bud

Love that Budweiser coin - that is awesome! Great collection and thanks for your service! Glad you made it back safe.

 

WOW that is a nice! I have one from the Blue Angels (Medallion) I bought a few years ago, I'll have to dig out and post it here for you guys to see it.

 

A Special Forces Challenge Coin

A Special Forces Challenge Coin,
Individually presented. 10th Special Forces Group. Solid silver. Had to paint my SSN# off the obverse

Thanks for the thread,

Steve

 

Very impressive Thread gentlemen..

"Semper Fidelis" to you all..

RickieB

 

Doh. I have almost 30 of these coins, the highest of which is from a 3 star. Unfortunately they're half a continent away right now!

 

Fantastic thread guys, I love looking at the challenge coins.

My dad was on a submarine during WWII so I am definitely drawn to those coins.