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For background, many moons ago (I think it was four or five deployments ago) I was in a unit that was pretty bad about awards being based off of rank, as opposed to actual accomplishment. The predictable end result was that the more junior Soldiers were getting the short end of the stick, many of which actually threw away their medals immediately after the ceremony in disgust. While I can't fix the Army awards system, I decided to have my own personal coin created, so that I could in some way bridge the gap, show them that at least SOMEONE appreciated their efforts,& that someone noticed and cared. The coins turned out to be very well received, even if people do sometimes give me a bit of a ribbing for having my own coin, but it's a tradition I've continued, because frankly you never know when a Soldier will be in dire need of a gesture of appreciation, and I think of it as a small way I can hopefully pull someone out of the dumps, show them someone appreciated them. My question to you all is this; am I really the only one with my own coin? I didn't think it was all that odd of a thing to do, but other than one or two, I've actually not met anyone else who has their own personal coin. Commander coins, CSM's, Generals, Units, all these we see all the time, but personal seem to be a rarity.
Awards
Coins
Edited 8 y ago
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 36
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Nice looking coin too!
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As a young E5 I bought a bunch of the PX E5 coins. I would give them to Soldiers who were busting there ass with little recognition. As I handed them this simple coin I would tell them " keep this in a safe place, this is my rookie coin. When I become a CSM you can trade this in." Now as a BDE CSM I have crossed paths with a couple of those Soldiers. As we catch up I offer them the opportunity to trade up. I haven't had one taker. They all say the same thing. That one coin at that particular time meant a lot to them.
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I actually had "thinking of you" coins made and sent 1000 to the troops. I had more made, but they were stolen. Getting ready to start up again though.
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Michael Kirchhubel
Sam Carter - Hi Sam. They were free for the troops overseas. Just a thank you gift. I haven't been able to start it up again... you know ... life gets in the way. I received soo many great letters back after I sent them though. I'll keep you updated when I can get it going again.
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As part of my final project in a discipleship class in seminary I designed a personal coin to use as a basis for Christian discipleship. I was the only one in the class who had any military experience, but once I explained the idea of challenge coins everyone loved the idea. I got an A on the project. Never have had the coin minted, but I still have the design. I may need to pull it back out and actually have it made.
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I think its a great Idea, as a SQD LDR or PSG, creating a coin like that really makes the Soldiers proud to be in that unit. Look at me I am in 1st PLT "warriors". It can be given to the Soldiers when they PCS (if they did not already get one) or given to outside people who come into contact with the PLT or SQD. OCs, CSMs etc, but they got to earn it too!!!!
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Gave a SPC coin I carved my name in with a pocket knife to General Lengyel when he came to visit us. He seemed pretty happy when he got it and he gave me his in exchange. Good times
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I joined the infantry at 34 years old. Before that I taught gymnastics and dance for most of my life. I was graced with having a former student join the navy to go thur BUDS and go further down range and let me know that I was an influence on his life. I bring this up because as a teacher and now back to being a student, I see your act of recognition to your soldiers and applaud all of you.
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The first coin I ever received was from a company commander who was enroute back to his AO at NTC when his driver hit a washout and busted the windshield with her helmet. I was providing real- world medical care to a LOGPAC nearby and was flagged down by an OC. My driver & I busted our humps getting get packaged up and evac'ed. No Medevac available because of a storm, and so it was 2 hours cross country in the era before NODs had made it to the Reserve Component, in blackout drive, with the CO navigating. The only thing I have ever been awarded that I cherish more was my CMB.
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At this point I have a lot of coins. There are very few these days that I put in my pocket to take home.
One of the ones that I did put in my pockets was a store bought specialist coin. I had an old soldier of mine give it to me after I took him to the sergeant board. And still have a hell of a story to go with it these days.
One of the ones that I did put in my pockets was a store bought specialist coin. I had an old soldier of mine give it to me after I took him to the sergeant board. And still have a hell of a story to go with it these days.
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My cousin was the BN motor NCOIC for (I believe) 1/327.
He had a "coin" made in the shape of a wrench to give out to his troops who went above and beyond yet didn't meet the unit's criteria for an award.
I have one of them and they're pretty sharp.
He had a "coin" made in the shape of a wrench to give out to his troops who went above and beyond yet didn't meet the unit's criteria for an award.
I have one of them and they're pretty sharp.
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