Tokens of appreciation; what do you actually want to receive?

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 09:43:26 -0400

Leaders, if you were to receive a token of appreciation from a working contact in or outside of the military (i.e. a coffee mug, multi-tool or golf bag) what would be a good example of something useful or practical to you?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2014 9:46 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 09:46:12 -0400

A nice decorated or hand painted beer Stein!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2014 10:46 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 10:46:02 -0400

Best thing I received was a personalized ka-bar. Name engraved right below the "US ARMY" Now it sits in a shadow box. Not very useful in there but nonetheless thoughtful gift and ill always have it.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Apr 15 at 2014 12:07 PM

Capt Brandon Charters — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 12:07:26 -0400

Matt-  Great topic.  I was just talking about this with our RP staff this week. I worked for several years in the DoD/aerospace world and noticed that veterans & civilians would still display challenge coins and hand out "mission coins" if we had a successful team op.  I think coins (and patches) offer a unique gift to civilians that never experienced military life. It depends on the environment though.  I've seen some pretty neat reactions from civilians when they get a coin from me for supporting RallyPoint. Explaining what a coin means...it's importance (beyond the challenge aspect) is key. I also think anything with a unique touch to it will be greatly appreciated. Gifts I've always liked (and seem to use) are custom shirts, polos, mugs, pens, hats or leather notebooks.  I'd make sure your logo or personal touch is included somewhere.  These are just my thoughts.  

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Apr 15 at 2014 12:22 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 12:22:35 -0400

I know it's considered "cheesy" by a lot of the new batch of Soldiers, but I'm a sucker for a coin. Those are never unappreciated, at least by me...

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2014 12:47 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 12:47:45 -0400

I have occasionally been deeply touched by the unanticipated private gift of unit or other badge or the quiet discrete grant of honorary membership in an organization (particularly a host country organization) for some unusually arduous humanitarian and/or exceptionally hazardous service. It feels like being a most honored and valued colleague - membership in a band of brothers for life. Perhaps not so practical. But, memories feel so good, most particularly as one grows longer in the tooth.

Response by CW2 Jonathan Kantor made Apr 15 at 2014 12:52 PM

CW2 Jonathan Kantor — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 12:52:18 -0400

I want a sword when I retire... and a cape.

Response by CPT Brandon Christensen made Apr 15 at 2014 12:55 PM

CPT Brandon Christensen — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 12:55:09 -0400

For me anything tied to that organization I am happy with. When I worked at Best Buy for 7 years (retail), I received a nice dutch watch with my name and store number engraved on the back. Cheesy, but still wear the watch and remember all the great memories I had with them.<div><br></div><div>Same thing for the military, I would love to get a coin, patch, anything really that is tied to that units history is HUGE. That way I can use it as a conversational starter piece in my home.</div>

Response by PO2 Rocky Kleeger made Apr 15 at 2014 2:20 PM

PO2 Rocky Kleeger — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 14:20:42 -0400

A coin is always appreciated, of course us old farts run on coffee so the mug would be nice too.  

Response by SGT Brendan Beely made Apr 15 at 2014 7:02 PM

SGT Brendan Beely — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 19:02:15 -0400

Personally, my favorite has always been unique patches. Two of my most prized possessions are patches I got from extremely challenging missions/assignments. You can't go buy them anywhere - you have to have been a part of that team to get it. It's like a member's only jacket, but way cooler.

Response by CSM Michael Poll made Apr 15 at 2014 7:04 PM

CSM Michael Poll — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 19:04:26 -0400

I want to know that what I have brought to any organization was used by an individual that has excelled because of my teaching or advise. I want my Soldiers to be better than I. This is the only token of appreciation that matters to me.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2014 9:14 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 21:14:42 -0400

I have a picture of my boys of 3rd platoon. Nothing could be better than that.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2014 1:48 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 13:48:56 -0400

I love coins....rather have them than most things. But if you insist on giving an COA or plaque of some sort PLEASE spell the name of the Soldier correctly. I had a Cdr that kept spelling my name wrong on things and I actually gave them back my PCS award because after 3 years they still couldn't get it right. Appreciation is a great thing but show you appreciate them enough to spell their name correctly!!!!

Response by PO2 Rocky Kleeger made Apr 16 at 2014 2:29 PM

PO2 Rocky Kleeger — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 14:29:30 -0400

$10,000 in small bills, and a hot blonde divorcee with no morals...?

Response by SFC Timothy Riser made Apr 16 at 2014 3:27 PM

SFC Timothy Riser — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 15:27:46 -0400

I like receiving coins but recently I want this.....

http://www.battlemug.com/

Home

Check out http://battlemug.com! Home Page

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Apr 16 at 2014 4:36 PM

1SG Michael Blount — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 16:36:40 -0400

Sgt - I got a great plaque from 3d Recon as my Iraq tour closed out. That means more to me than almost anything else I have.

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Apr 16 at 2014 5:20 PM

SGT Bryon Sergent — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 17:20:25 -0400

COINS, COINS, COINS! Means a little more that a peice of paper that say certificate of apperciation! Pulled to women out of a burning apartment and was in the news paper. Wasn't expecting ANYTHING, but the commander reduced my arcom to a Certificate of Apperciation! two weeks later a soldier holds a bandage at a car accident for the paramedic and he got the arcom! go figure!

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2014 11:11 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 23:11:42 -0400

The plaque I got from the last class I instructed is my prized possession.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2014 12:25 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 12:25:55 -0400

I like the coins with bottle opener built in to them..They always come in handy.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 4 at 2014 1:38 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 13:38:30 -0400

Ammo.