Challenge Coins, how to give or receive?

2015-08-23T08:49:29-04:00

What are the rules of giving or receiving a coin. From the research I have done it seems that the challenge coin is an old unit tradition moral booster ( bar drinking game). But how does it apply to receiving or giving a coin? Only a senior rank to a junior rank, only a certain rank? As far as I know, they are given for an outstanding act that does not quite merit a medal. The reason I ask, is because I would like to give one.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2015 8:56 AM

2015-08-23T08:56:23-04:00

The way I was taught, if you witness someone perform a task greater than what you did to receive the coin...you pass it on. In some units, its a stepping stone below AAM as an award. I received a couple blue chips at NTC that were converted to 2 star coins. Highest I have received is. Mike Mullen's.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Aug 23 at 2015 10:03 AM

2015-08-23T10:03:59-04:00

It's like a "Thank you Plus" or "Great Job Plus" in some ways. Not everything rates a medal or a piece of paper, but some things rate more than just a few words. Coins fill that gap.

As a very simple example. You're out on a 1-2 day field op. One of your guys busts his butt during a particularly stressful couple hours of it. Attitude, effort, everything was just top notch. If you tried to write it up, it wouldn't "quite" be "award worthy" but definitely deserved "recognition."

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Aug 23 at 2015 10:07 AM

2015-08-23T10:07:39-04:00

I suppose it's the coin holder's choice as to what he/she believes merits the bestowing of their coin. I've received coins for simple efforts and for arduous efforts.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Aug 23 at 2015 10:17 AM

2015-08-23T10:17:03-04:00

If you're seeking opportunities to earn a 'challenge' coin' or 'recognition coin', go above a beyond while volunteering for provided opportunities and they'll come.

Received my first coin in the Army while driving for an incoming VIP (turned out to be General Reimer, Army Chief of Staff) at Fort Leavenworth, KS.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Aug 23 at 2015 10:45 AM

2015-08-23T10:45:28-04:00

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member I have received Challenge Coins from all ranks above me and below me. I've even received one from Specialist once and I have it displayed on my Challenge coin custom coin box that I had made just for those coins. I've spent a lot of time designing challenge coins for my last two Brigades. This is one I designed for the 89th SB. I even had it tattooed on my arm before I left the Brigade and retired.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2015 11:05 AM

2015-08-23T11:05:33-04:00

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member, challenge coins have a rich and long lasting tradition in the Military. I take great pride in all the coins that I have received over the years, but it makes me feel awesome when I'm able to return the favor. I have Warrant Officer coins that I present to Soldiers, NCO's and even O-Grade officers for outstanding achievement in maintenance and logistics. I like to be spontaneous with my coin presentation, usually I will just walk right up to the individual and give them a handshake with the coin in my right hand and tell them why I'm giving it to them. Sometimes I will hand them out in front of a formation or in a meeting, but usually it's one on one.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Aug 23 at 2015 12:23 PM

2015-08-23T12:23:06-04:00

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member If you have a coin that you want to present, you can. You can either do it privately, or in a formation. Some folks would prefer not to be publicly recognized. Regardless, the troop will appreciate the act.
At the end of the day, those coins will wind up on display either at their house, or office, and it is a cool way to show off military service. I have mine on my desk, and need to get another display.
The best one I have is the 4-star dog tag coin from General Franks, while working as a cop down at CentCom and pulling security for him. It is in the Front Row.

Response by SPC Gabriel Botero Jr., MSW, LCSW made Aug 23 at 2015 3:59 PM

2015-08-23T15:59:43-04:00

Sir, I think it's commendable that you are interested in giving out your own coin. Most of my coins I received while working as a military aide for an elected official after I got out of the military. Still, I cherish all of my coins both from time in service and as a veteran. It doesn't matter to me if I received them in a dark room, in a ceremony, in the back of a helicopter, impromptu or officially. What was nice about receiving one is the recognition that you did a good job to get one. Sometimes as leaders in all levels we forget how busy we can get and how it can make a difference and boost morale by saying good job to someone. My favorite coin in my collection is from the U.S. Naval Training and Advisory mission team. Around Christmas we conducted a mission to get cargo to the British Royal Marines after they couldn't get a vehicle transport to their AO. A couple of weeks later a Navy LT came in asking for people that helped with that mission and that's when I got my first deployment coin. He said we saved Christmas for the Brits and helped raise morale by transporting that cargo (mail I assume).

Response by Sam Carter made Mar 29 at 2017 1:29 PM

2017-03-29T13:29:08-04:00

Well traditionally from what I understand (Im a civilian on the supplier side of things from what our customers tell me) is that Usually when a challenge coin is given in a formal setting, it is given in a handshake by a superior officer. I would love to see it myself. We have so many formal military settings for which we have created challenge coins. Just about every branch including the Coast Guard partakes in this tradition.

Source:

http://www.challengecoins4u.com
https://www.facebook.com/Challenge-Coins-4-U [login to see] 13128/

Response by SFC Bob Laverick made Jun 3 at 2017 12:52 PM

2017-06-03T12:52:25-04:00

Challenge coins originated in the Revolutionary War. Many of the soldiers were illiterate and couldn't read the challenge and password. Commanders had coins made and passed them out to their soldiers. The coin was used if the soldier couldn't remember the C&PW for the day. He could present the coin to the sentry and would be permitted pass.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2017 6:50 PM

2017-06-25T18:50:01-04:00

Never saw one of them when I served, or seen any soldiers with them.

Response by MSgt Carl Stokes made Nov 20 at 2017 7:11 PM

2017-11-20T19:11:50-05:00

Just love seeing that someone wants to get it RIGHT! Coins are a very personal thing and have ment more to me than blanket unit citations.

Response by Derrick Crandall made Feb 26 at 2018 5:41 AM

2018-02-26T05:41:21-05:00

Agree that challenge coins are an ideal way to express appreciation for a job well done. I've received about a dozen in my life, and I remember each one. Most have come from an officer with responsibilities I've aided professionally, but most federal Cabinet members also give them out, as well.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Feb 26 at 2018 10:53 AM

2018-02-26T10:53:48-05:00

It plays in bars, but the bottom line it is given for outstanding work which sending up a medal is not worth the work. As a junior leader you van indeed give them out to those subordinate to you- for the cost to be reasonable you have to order in bulk. Might be costly for a 2LT

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2019 6:21 PM

2019-01-01T18:21:39-05:00

Sir, I have a few of my own that I have gotten in the 5 years that I have been in the Navy. I always try to get one from where I have served in, and ones that I find interesting.

I haven't given any out just yet, but I may end up doing soon since now I'm a NCO and will be directly in charge of junior Sailors. I have received a few that I'm really proud of and looking forward to giving and receiving many more. Unfortunately I did lose one or it was stolen from me, but I had a 2 star Army National Guard General give me his for presenting him with custom BSA shoulder patches as a thank you for speaking at a BSA Eagle event.

It's up to you how and where to present them to the troops, but they are well appreciated.

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Aug 4 at 2019 7:24 PM

2019-08-04T19:24:29-04:00

All leaders should read this!

Response by Gary Hadden made Jan 5 at 2020 1:34 PM

2020-01-05T13:34:16-05:00

My Lieutenant is retiring this week. I will be presenting him with a very special challenge coin! I have my own collection and enjoy receiving them as well as presenting them.

Response by Kamil Faizi made Feb 21 at 2020 5:36 PM

2020-02-21T17:36:25-05:00

Kamil Faizi, Owner at challengecoins4u.net:
Challenge Coins have a rich history and tradition in the military. And that tradition has passed on to the corporate and military contractor world. Coins were first used as symbols of identification dating back to the first World War, when a pilot was shot down behind enemy lines, and he needed a way tp prove is identity once he got back to friendly territory. Today challenge coins are handed as tokens of appreciation and excellence by NCO's and Officers to subordinates for a job well done. Every coin tells a story. It is always a pleasure to receive one. But to give but is a bigger honor because it usually comes from higher up. They are typically handed in the form of handshakes.

Response by SCPO Frank Carson made Feb 29 at 2020 4:01 AM

2020-02-29T04:01:57-05:00

The BS Meter is pegged!