What is the proper etiquette if I earn a coin from another unit that I already have?

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 13:28:55 -0400

A couple years ago I was coined by the commander of another unit. Now I am working with this same unit and was coined again. This is probably a dumb question, but is there a certain way I should handle it? Do I keep the coin? Politely decline the coin, etc? I haven't been in this situation before and it never occurred to me until now.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2017 1:30 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 13:30:58 -0400

Just keep it. What's wrong with having more than one of the same coin?

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Oct 18 at 2017 1:35 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 13:35:04 -0400

Keep the coin and thank the person who gave it to you, CW2 Private RallyPoint Member. They thought enough of you to give you the coin. You should think enough of them to accept. Consider the giver and the reason it was given, not the gift. Not only that, it would be awkward and embarrassing to return it.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Oct 18 at 2017 1:41 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 13:41:33 -0400

Be thankful and keep the coin. The coins are supposed to be a form of instant recognition for a job well done and even if it's from the same unit, if given for it's intended purpose means you're doing well and the commander or in my case the CSM recognizes your efforts.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Oct 18 at 2017 3:54 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 15:54:18 -0400

It's not a dumb question, but I think you are overthinking this. Just keep it. It's a coin you've earned twice by this unit. Might come off as insulting to turn it down.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Oct 18 at 2017 5:59 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 17:59:14 -0400

I would definitely keep it. It was a token gesture and might be considered rude to refuse. It'd be like refusing the coin of the POTUS, VP, or SecDef simply because you got one from the last Chain of Command. Keep it. It's twice the recognition and twice the memories.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2017 7:51 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 19:51:15 -0400

Definitely keep it, it doesn't hurt having multiple and you can have a story to each. I received 3 Challenge Coins from the 31st MEU CO/SgtMaj while I was there and was the only 3 times he gave them out. It was funny on the inside and everyone who knew laughed about it. Returning it would more than likely be seen as rude, display that extra coin with pride!

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Oct 18 at 2017 8:36 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 20:36:48 -0400

Be very glad that you were recognized by the unit, I have several Division and Regiment coins but from a variety of Commanders. It is an award and a thoughtful gift, don't demean it by refusing.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2017 10:54 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 22:54:51 -0400

Say thank you and move on. For example, when I was at LRMC, I had escorted 2 different EUCOM CoS GOs for their medical appointments at the hospital. I was coined by both. I said thank you.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2017 11:12 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 11:12:08 -0400

The value of mementos like that is not the coin itself, but the memories they evoke when you look at them later. Each coin will be a reminder of a specific activity or event, so even though the coins might look the same, they will actually seem different. Over time, it will be the memories that will mean something to you, more than the coin itself.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2017 2:14 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Oct 2017 14:14:30 -0400

Keep the coin, but set it aside... add 1 OLC to your previous coin.
(Just kidding, but seriously, just keep the coin.)

Response by SGT Robert Mcfadden made Oct 21 at 2017 4:07 PM

SGT Robert Mcfadden — Sat, 21 Oct 2017 16:07:11 -0400

Always keep them. I have a few some I know why I received them some I dont.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2017 4:07 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Oct 2017 16:07:35 -0400

Had a Battalion Commander once give a dude in my unit a coin go on to the next soldier and then go back and ask if he already had one, then he took it back from the soldier when he learned he already had one

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2017 4:29 PM

LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Oct 2017 16:29:24 -0400

No man is an island, if you received the 2nd coin and someone helped you get there, specially if it was a subordinate, why not reward them for their efforts.

Response by SGT Richard Souza made Oct 21 at 2017 4:31 PM

SGT Richard Souza — Sat, 21 Oct 2017 16:31:39 -0400

By all means, keep it. I got a battalion coin when I was a young Private, then another from the same unit (they'd changed the design), both are proudly displayed on my wall next to my desk now.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2017 4:35 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Oct 2017 16:35:59 -0400

I have 4 coins from the same Battalion, given to me by different Battalion Commanders. Each one brings back different memories. I suggest you accept the coin graciously and add it to your coin rack. Nobody is going to give you a hard time for being recognized more than once. If you earned it, you earned it.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2017 12:14 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Oct 2017 00:14:49 -0400

I saw someone get the same coin twice within the quarters. He was called up for being named sailor of the quarter and was coined and then 5 minutes later was called up for most boardings completed and was handed another coin and the CO said hey I would give out one for each so you get two.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Oct 22 at 2017 3:51 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sun, 22 Oct 2017 03:51:51 -0400

Keep it, display them next to each other, each one displaying the opposite side.

Response by TSgt Merle Gregory made Oct 22 at 2017 6:49 AM

TSgt Merle Gregory — Sun, 22 Oct 2017 06:49:04 -0400

Keep the coin! I have a few coins by my old CC’s each one is attached to a specific memory. I have on from a. Battalion CC as well. From Chiefs and The academies Ive gradates from. Keep the coin.

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2017 2:32 AM

ENS Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 02:32:34 -0400

You send me the coin. Message me for my address. ;)
Kidding of course. Keep the coin and be thankful!

Response by SGT Eliyahu Rooff made Oct 24 at 2017 1:45 PM

SGT Eliyahu Rooff — Tue, 24 Oct 2017 13:45:44 -0400

I've got one from my unit in RVN, but never thought much about it. Is this a new trend, collecting them?

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Jul 18 at 2018 10:41 AM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Wed, 18 Jul 2018 10:41:01 -0400

Keep the coin and add to your collection.. maybe there is someone in your unit that was there before they were passed out and by some misfortune did not get one..
maybe you can do the right thing andgove them it.

Response by SSgt Jimmy Jackson made Mar 31 at 2019 11:33 AM

SSgt Jimmy Jackson — Sun, 31 Mar 2019 11:33:29 -0400

They would not have coined you if they didn't want you to have it. Consider it a honor for a job well done.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2019 11:49 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Mar 2019 11:49:30 -0400

Keep the coin: it’s that individual’s (or unit’s) way of showing gratitude. Be proud they wanted to thank you or recognize you twice.

Response by SGT Nick Webber made Mar 31 at 2019 12:19 PM

SGT Nick Webber — Sun, 31 Mar 2019 12:19:20 -0400

Buy a coin rack display it! I was coined three times by a general, and twice by my csm . It's like Christmas it's not the gift, but the thought that counts!

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Mar 31 at 2019 12:53 PM

Sgt Dale Briggs — Sun, 31 Mar 2019 12:53:16 -0400

Say thank you sir I appreciate that, and keep the coin, obviously you earned it.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Mar 31 at 2019 4:47 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sun, 31 Mar 2019 16:47:24 -0400

The coin is an award of sorts, being recognized by command. You keep the coin. Thank you for your service.

Response by Col Gonzalo Arturo Gutierrez Orozco made Apr 1 at 2019 8:48 AM

Col Gonzalo Arturo Gutierrez Orozco — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 08:48:25 -0400

No is only my coin!!!!I work whit my coin!!!!

Response by SPC Donn Sinclair made Apr 1 at 2019 9:41 AM

SPC Donn Sinclair — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 09:41:47 -0400

Can't help. I was out long before they came into being, at least in the units I was in.

Response by SPC Ricky Bruneau made Apr 2 at 2019 12:36 AM

SPC Ricky Bruneau — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 00:36:03 -0400

Keep it, appreciate it and drive on.

Response by SSG James Oliver Nathan Jr made Apr 4 at 2019 8:55 AM

SSG James Oliver Nathan Jr — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 08:55:50 -0400

Keep the coin and keep your mouth shut. or send it my way I collect them.