Navy budgetary belt-tightening may have reached a new - if temporary - low. Officials have frozen the purchase of commanders’ coins - also known as "challenge coins" - using Defense Department dollars. In a May 13 message to the fleet, the Navy said commanders may no longer use appropriated funds to buy the coins or other unofficial gifts and morale boosters. The brass coins, emblazoned with a unit designation and handed out by commanders for a job well done, or simply because, have routinely been ordered at every command level - on up to the President - for years. http://www.dodbuzz.com/2013/05/20/navy-freezes-funding-for-challenge-coins Somebody posted this to the article: "I wonder if these coins will become rare collectors items in the future"
I hope the Navy and other armed forces are using the money they are cutting in the areas most needed. My son is an Seaman on an CG cruiser in San Diego CA harbor and he tells me that they have cut certain training missions and other activities because of these so called cuts. Before my son went into the Navy, VP Biden gave him a challenge coin. Not for being in the Navy but because each time they showed up my son had two drop what he was doing or changed his schedule to come in and get certain items in order before the VP/President came to play. He worked at Andrews Air Force base since he was 15 and was a Pro Shop Attendant. He made sure the Golf Carts were in tip top working order before they went out to play. My son told me that some of the secret service was a pain in the behind. One time 1 hour before Obama was to come to play with Boehner, my son was making sure the golf carts were shiny and cleaned because it rained that morning, a SS agent had to frisk him and took him into the locker room and asked him why did he have an utility knife. DUH! My son got a little heated and said let me show you something, see the pallet full of golf boxes they are full of range balls and the plastic straps needed to come off. The only way to get them off is with a utility knife. Everything worked out.
Not sure how I missed this but hopefully commanders will continue to present them, maybe they'll figure out another funding source.
How many do the commanders distribute? The dies are the expensive part but they already exist striking additional pieces shouldn't cost that much. If the commander really thinks they are that important maybe they should pay for them out of their own pocket.
It's really subjective how many they give out. My last commander passed out quite a few but there were several individuals who really went above and beyond supporting a special event. I've also seen them rarely passed out. It just depends. I'm biased (since I'm a coin geek) but if I were a commander I'd buy them myself to keep the tradition going. (Even though the tradition of the challenge coin in the Air Force is all but dead, but that's another story)
What's even worse is that part of the article: "They may also use so-called “representation funds” to buy the items if they are to be part of an official event honoring select high-ranking Defense Department officials, prominent citizens or foreign dignitaries. Or, if those select individuals are taking part in the event." So the rank and file can't get a Challenge Coin but these people can? Come on!! Real low blow in my opinion!!!
