Posted on Aug 23, 2015
CPT(P) Mccc Student
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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.
Posted in these groups: Liberty manor challenge coin Challenge Coin
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
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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."
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CW4 Brigade Maintenance Technician
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CPT(P) (Join to see), 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.
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SSG Joseoh James
SSG Joseoh James
8 y
Thanks Chief, that is what it is all about. I have over 100 coins and I can say that I have never gotten one from a Warrant. You are THE very first one (WO) that I have seen give them out.
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Terry Robbins
Terry Robbins
>1 y
Whose rank is on the coin?
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
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Edited 10 y ago
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CPT(P) (Join to see) 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.
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Challenge Coins, how to give or receive?
CMSgt James Nolan
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CPT(P) (Join to see) 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.
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SSG Joseoh James
SSG Joseoh James
8 y
I worked for BG Franks as well as I have an award signed by COL Franks. Pretty cool to have seen him move up.
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SPC Gabriel Botero Jr., MSW, LCSW
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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).
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CPT(P) Mccc Student
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10 y
Thanks for the insight and sharing your experience. That coin for sure has a lot a value in your collection.
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Sgt Spencer Sikder
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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.
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Terry Robbins
Terry Robbins
>1 y
Whose rank do you put on the coin?
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LTC Joint Clinical Director
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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.
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CPT(P) Mccc Student
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10 y
Thank you sir, and congrats on your highest coin.
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MSgt Carl Stokes
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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.
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SFC Personnel  Sergeant
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Never saw one of them when I served, or seen any soldiers with them.
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CSM Charles Hayden
CSM Charles Hayden
>1 y
Agreed, somehow I missed that long standing tradition! SFC (Join to see)
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PO2 Aircraft Director, Terminal Department
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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.
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