How long into your service did you earn your first coin?

I got a coin from a dirtbag LTC. Wanted to throw it at him, but since I was a 1LT and not a civilian at the time...

I felt justified when I watched/testified for the court martial that resulted in his BCD...

We didn't have coins when I was in. When I got out in 1993 there was still no such thing.

I personally do not have any interest or hold any value to any coins. To me they are somewhat degrading in a way. I see them as little treats you give people that happen to be in the right place at the right time. I believe an honest hand shake or congratulations goes further than a coin. If the accomplishment was big enough why not an award? Then again I'm not too big on awards either, most depend on rank anyway.

Got my first coin in AIT. School house CSM gave me and a few others coins for being the top grades on the Basic Electronics class before we started our MOS classes.

Never got a coin back in my day.In fact I had never heard of them at the time.I would love to have some now however.

I was deployed and the 32nd commander came and he wanted to give out some coins and I was picked to get one in my CO. I was a PFC 20 months give or take in service.

I had only been in for about 5-6 months. I volunteered to help set up and maintain the obstacle course for the Defenders Challenge on Lackland AFB and a BG rewarded myself and 5 others for volunteering. I was pretty stoked.

I received my first coin while I was still at AIT.  I led a detail doing some menial task at Signal Towers in Fort Gordon. Does my second one even count if I bought it? (Airborne School)