During my employment overseas with the USO, I received several military challenge coins for a job well done. They were usually from a specific unit I had assisted, but I also received one from my USO supervisor and Admiral Mike Mullen for organizing and executing a night of entertainment for our troops on Kandahar Air Field in Afghanistan.
Below is a bit of history (taken from the DoD website) if you're interested...
Military coins, whether commander’s coins, challenge coins, or unit and squadron coins, have become increasingly popular throughout the military.
Stories of where the custom originated vary widely. One of the most accepted traces it to World War I, when a wealthy lieutenant had bronze unit medallions struck for his squadron. As the story goes, a squadron pilot who was shot down and captured behind German lines ended up with nothing but that medallion to identify himself after his escape. Ultimately, the identifying coin ended up saving him from being executed by the French as a spy.
The squadron’s tradition of medallion or coin carrying continued, with “challenges” regularly made to ensure all members had theirs handy. A unit member who couldn’t quickly produce the medallion when challenged had to buy the challenger a drink. But if the medallion could be slapped down, the challenger had to buy.
Over the years, some units have continued this tradition. But more commonly, military coins have become a symbol of affiliation that’s used to boost morale, foster esprit de corps, and honor service.
Great picture that says a lot about the history of our Armed Forces. I am a veteran of 20 years in the USAF. Thank you for sharing the story of the Challenge Coins.
@thirdjoe My pleasure Joe. I'm sure you have some stories to tell after 20 years. Something else to talk about when we finally meet. Thank YOU for serving our country. :)
@annied Thank you Annie - I'm trying to learn my camera before buying my next one. A true DSLR. :)