Challenge coins. Do you use them, collect them, or both?

I worked in Bn Command Group and received a coin from every important official I met/drove. I also helped design a coin used to commemorate our unit's Korea rotation.

I have no need for and never earned that coined. It should be reserved for those who earned it the hard way and not PX warriors. My SpecOps friends laugh at those wannabes. That coin came into existence due to WW2 pilots. I see the pride when challenged the coins are pulled, slapped on the bar. Those who forgot to bring theirs have to buy the round. Old timers may remember metal on the bar in VFWs. It did not involve a coin. I have been sent 2 challenge coins, don't carry them because I did not earn them by just being a Marine grunt. It should be reserved for Seals, SF, Delta, Army Rangers rate but few people know that in the Fleet, FMF Marines are trained to that same level. We were told, you are not special, you are Marines and expected to perform at that level. I agreed and we don't need a coin to prove otherwise.

Well as a Salty Old Dog as stated originally, I have approximately 33 coins. And I assure you they were earned, not giving or purchased at the PX. And yes they all hold a special place in my heart. So to ask for one is not the correct thing to do SSG. And as for a Senior Non Com or Officer to receive one for doing their job while serving is an in correct statement in mind. Not saying it does not happen, because if a Fobbit receives a Bronze Star or higher then they are wrong in my mind unless something was done deserving the Bronze Star or LOM as you state.

Agreed. I'll take a coin over 3 AAM's any day of the week and twice on Sunday...

That's doubtful. If someone try offered you $1M for one, you'd be crazy not to accept. Everything (material) has a price.

TSgt. You are wrong in your thinking everything (Material) does not have a price.

I'd sell my whole collection for $1M. Memories are great, but money is practical and I can set my kids up with a good college education and enough to start their own careers with $1M. The past is important, but don't give up your future by living in the past.

As a 2W0 (Ammo), we must carry one at all times. If we get coin checked, whether in the grocery store, bar or the flight line and we dont have one with us, we pay hell. It's tradition that unfortunately, is fading away with the younger crowd.

I never saw one when I was on active duty. Can't even find one that represents a Navy Squadron I served in (VA-15, but coins for VFA-15 exist).

I have a presidential challenge coin, earned while stationed in the northeast.

I think the challenge coin thing is something that gained popularity in more recent years. I have a VAW-123 challenge coin I picked up at the 50th anniversary reunion. I also have one from the Sahuarita Police Department from when I was a volunteer.

PO1 Bob Junke - It isn't a "new" thing.
My first coin was in 1981 with 7th Infantry Division DIVARTY. I got one with the 1-38th FA BN 2nd ID, G-3 2nd ID, and 2nd ID Division Staff coins. I was given one by the Commander of Chemical and MP Schools in 2003 on a courtesy visit after I had left the Army.
I have received several other non-Army ones since then.
I think I know why usage of challenge coins may have declined in the past 35 years. The only place I was ever challenged was an O-Club bar. When I was a young Lieutenant at Fort Ord in 1981-1982 and Korea 1982-1983 a lot of business was conducted at the O-Club. Every Officer I knew went there several nights a week at Fort Ord and every night in Korea. When I got stationed at TRADOC HQ as a staff officer in 1984 a lot had changed in the 18 months I was away. The O-Club at Fort Monroe, VA, was dead. I asked around my office and found out that no one wanted to be seen drinking. The same was true at Fort Eustis and most Army bases I visited. The culture was changing. After that, everywhere I went it seemed O-Clubs and Senior NCO Clubs became restaurants and not much else. O-Club bars went away because a DUI became a career-ending offense and the Army culture was moving away from its hard-drinking past.

Congratulations! How awesome to have your work in the home valued in such a tangible way. Our homes often suffer greatly from our service to our country, and an occasional success story is good to hear. Thank you for sharing yours!

MSG (Join to see)
Most that I have bought are from bases, forts or stations I have been. I collect shot glasses as well. Just something to remind me where I've been. My son is with the White House Communications Agency for the Army and has giving me a few from Marine Security Detachments form around the world. But I agree maybe the challenge part of alcohol is better forgotten. We have enough problems as it is don't need to add the alcohol. The ones that have been earned are very special for sure!

I've done the challenge maybe twice at a bar, but otherwise I just collect the coins. I have them lined up in the order of the event/that I got them. Like my first coin, that I got at an RSP Drill is the first one in the line.

I don't think the units are spending the same amount as they used to in promoting their units history. Some NCO's are buying them and still using them to identify their rank when thanking an individual for doing a great job.

MSgt (Join to see) - I retired in 1995 and even then the "rule" had changed in many units/places to "beverage of choice".

When E'7's automatically get bronze stars for a deployment and everyone else gets a challenge coin for a job well done, leaves a bad taste.

We had a BN Driver that stood there and told us he asked every high ranking officer for a coin when he took the LTC places. Usually he got one. So to me, that took away from the meaning of all those coins.

Some coins mean more than others. In the end, they're a slug of pot-metal, the meaning to you has more value than the coin itself. If they are substituted for LOAs then shame on the people doing that. The BEST thing by far I was ever given was a LOA from the Sergeant Major of the Army. Did I "earn" it? Well, for doing my job. It was however, a kind acknowledgement of just doing my job that personally touched the SMA enough to compose and sign a nice acknowledgement of what happened. I'd rather my relatives find that letter 100 years from now and UNDERSTAND why I got it, rather than any coin, no matter how nifty.

That's fair comment. I got a 3-star coin for picking up a laptop charger from the office and dropping it off at lodging.

My first station was in Germany (West, that is. At the time there was an East Germany) After PCS stateside I gave a 1 pfennig coin to a guy headed over for the first time. Back in the early 1980s a pfennig check could cause someone to have to buy a round for the group, and the newly arriving were usually the victims!

I love it when that happens.

Challenge? Please enlighten me. I always thought thechalkenge was to have one from the unit you were/ had served in or to buy a round?

It is that but it can also be with others outside the unit and then it is who has higher coin

that's nice Sir don't recall anyone ever getting promoted because someone gave them a challenge coins.

I would guess those have become very highly prized mementos of your service together. Great idea, Sir.

SP5 Paul Riley - I do. When added as an NCOER comment, those accomplishments add-up.

It can be used as one I would think.

Yeah, coins were pretty damn rare in my early years of the Military. By the time I retired everybody was handing them out.

SSG (Join to see) - 1979-2006

So you have seen a lot... people hate feeling left out so it was inevitable that it would spread across the Army. Hope to hear more from you young soldiers can benefit from your years of experience... Thank you for picking up the sword!!!

Same to you!