How do you earn challenge coins.

[Hoorah]

I was wondering how to earn challenge coins?

[BrandonKea]

Depends on the coin. Some activities will present you with a coin for completing their activity. Generals and other Flag Officers present them from time to time for various things, for example I once escorted the CINCSTRATCOM at an event, and he presented me with his Challenge Coin.

[LtCol057]

Also, keep in mind that all commanders don't have coins to give out.

[Hoorah]

Depends on the coin. Some activities will present you with a coin for completing their activity. Generals and other Flag Officers present them from time to time for various things, for example I once escorted the CINCSTRATCOM at an event, and he presented me with his Challenge Coin.

What does it mean.

[BrandonKea]

Also, don't go ASKING for challenge coins...

[Hoorah]

Also, don't go ASKING for challenge coins...

I wouldnt.

[BrandonKea]

What does what mean?

[Eclipse]

The ways most people are "coined"...

Completion or attendance of a particular activity - NESA, Encampments, RSC, NSC, etc.

Participation in a particularly interesting, challenging, memorable, or large-scale event - Katrina, Challenger.

As a member of a unit for esprit-de-corps.

As part of a promotion ceremony.

To commemorate meeting a dignitary or commander, or in personal recognition of appreciation from same.

As mentioned not all activities or commanders have them, or give them out for the same reason(s).  Generally its a remembrance, and should be done in a light-hearted, fraternal way (which doesn't mean once received they aren't prized possessions).

They don't have a "rank" (i.e. one coin is higher than another), and its not "cricket" to coin people you know don't have one.  In most cases, though not all, its also not kosher to buy a coin unconnected to anything you've ever done and use it to answer challenges.

Answering a coin challenge with a Delta Force coin when you've never been in the military will usually get you a wedgie.

[BrandonKea]

The ways most people are "coined"...

Completion or attendance of a particular activity - NESA, Encampments, RSC, NSC, etc.

Participation in a particularly interesting, challenging, memorable, or large-scale event - Katrina, Challenger.

As a member of a unit for esprit-de-corps.

As part of a promotion ceremony.

To commemorate meeting a dignitary or commander, or in personal recognition of appreciation from same.

As mentioned not all activities or commanders have them, or give them out for the same reason(s).  Generally its a remembrance, and should be done in a light-hearted, fraternal way (which doesn't mean once received they aren't prized possessions).

They don't have a "rank" (i.e. one coin is higher than another), and its not "cricket" to coin people you know don't have one.  In most cases, though not all, its also not kosher to buy a coin unconnected to anything you've ever done and use it to answer challenges.

Answering a coin challenge with a Delta Force coin when you've never been in the military will usually get you a wedgie.

+1

My coin collection has a few very prized coins, as well as my more common coins (i.e. my Squadron Coin that everyone has).

My CINCSTRATCOM is probably my favorite, just because they don't have CINCSTRATCOM's anymore.

[Eclipse]

I think he wanted to know what "CINCSTRATCOM" means.

CINCSTRATCOM = Commander in Chief, United States Strategic Command

[Cecil DP]

Challange Coins are mere tokens and are given out for whatever reason the donor wants to present them for. Do they have significance? Only if you want them to. I have several ranging from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, The Reserve Forces Policy Board, and the Commander of CENTCOM (2). The ones I appreciate are the Reserve Forces coin, because it was given by a holder of the CMH, and the CJCS, because it was in recognition of work I had done in support of the Joint Staff. The others were trinkets or souveniers presented for being somewhere and meeting someone who had coins to give. Personally, I feel that an impact award is more appropriate in a situation where you've earned recognition.

[BrandonKea]

I think he wanted to know what "CINCSTRATCOM" means.

CINCSTRATCOM = Commander in Chief, United States Strategic Command

Specifically, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_O._Ellis

[Always Ready]

I was wondering how to earn challenge coins?

Steal them!    ...just kidding!

Honestly, if you want a challenge coin and don't want to wait until you earn one, go buy this (click here)!


It's a general (not a General) CAP coin that anyone can buy and use. If you want/need one, buy it and use it until you earn one. This way you won't ruffle anyone's feathers. :angel:

[Angus]

The ways most people are "coined"...

Completion or attendance of a particular activity - NESA, Encampments, RSC, NSC, etc.

Participation in a particularly interesting, challenging, memorable, or large-scale event - Katrina, Challenger.

As a member of a unit for esprit-de-corps.

As part of a promotion ceremony.

To commemorate meeting a dignitary or commander, or in personal recognition of appreciation from same.

As mentioned not all activities or commanders have them, or give them out for the same reason(s).  Generally its a remembrance, and should be done in a light-hearted, fraternal way (which doesn't mean once received they aren't prized possessions).

They don't have a "rank" (i.e. one coin is higher than another), and its not "cricket" to coin people you know don't have one.  In most cases, though not all, its also not kosher to buy a coin unconnected to anything you've ever done and use it to answer challenges.

Answering a coin challenge with a Delta Force coin when you've never been in the military will usually get you a wedgie.

They aren't just given out for completing NESA.  You have to be on staff for the first time or a distinguished graduate. 

[AlphaSigOU]

In the Air Force fighter jock community, especially within the confines of the squadron bar or the o-club, it's not referred to as a 'coin' but as a 'round metal object' (RMO). Calling it by 'that four-letter word' is tantamount to a challenge, as is accidentally dropping an RMO on the floor.

'Pulling rank' on an RMO challenge is NOT kosher.

The few coins I've earned or purchased (not the mass market coins) are NOT for sale or trade.

[SilverEagle2]

I aquired one from a friend who found it in the crack of a seat of a car he bought out of Vegas. Is from an F-15 sqd. Still trying to find the owner (not very hard, mind you)  :angel:

[Hoorah]

I hear that you can get them for excellent uniforms.

[dwb]

There is no single challenge coin source, tradition, or set of concrete rules.  They're not currency, and can be minted and distributed by anyone, for any reason.

As has been explained, in military circles, coins are most often given for one of two reasons: they're given to everyone belonging to a particular unit, or they're given to individuals who excel at whatever the criteria are for issuing the coin.

So, yes, I'm sure someone has gotten a coin for exceptional uniform wear, but that was in the context of a specific CAP function, and isn't a general rule (viz. not everyone that wears their uniform well is going to get a coin from someone).

There are a lot of CAP-related coins; NYWG encampment gives out coins to cadets who exemplify the core values, the Utica (NY) Cadet Squadron gives coins to all of its members, the National Commander has a coin she can give out to whomever she wants to, etc.

Chances are, at some point in time in your CAP career, you could be eligible to receive a coin from someone.  I can't tell you in advance what that situation will be.

[AlphaSigOU]

I think he wanted to know what "CINCSTRATCOM" means.

CINCSTRATCOM = Commander in Chief, United States Strategic Command

Back in my days on active duty he was called CINCSAC (Commander in Chief, Strategic Air Command).

And we say the Oooooooold Air Force was the best Air Force... 

[Chappie]

The ways most people are "coined"...

Completion or attendance of a particular activity - NESA, Encampments, RSC, NSC, etc.

Participation in a particularly interesting, challenging, memorable, or large-scale event - Katrina, Challenger.

As a member of a unit for esprit-de-corps.

As part of a promotion ceremony.

To commemorate meeting a dignitary or commander, or in personal recognition of appreciation from same.

As mentioned not all activities or commanders have them, or give them out for the same reason(s).  Generally its a remembrance, and should be done in a light-hearted, fraternal way (which doesn't mean once received they aren't prized possessions).

They don't have a "rank" (i.e. one coin is higher than another), and its not "cricket" to coin people you know don't have one.  In most cases, though not all, its also not kosher to buy a coin unconnected to anything you've ever done and use it to answer challenges.

Answering a coin challenge with a Delta Force coin when you've never been in the military will usually get you a wedgie.

Would concur wholeheartedly.  During the past few years I have collected/received several coins.  The ones I have purchased were from bases that I attended an event at or a commemorative coin for special occassion, etc. (beats collecting coffee mugs -- less storage space ).  The ones received are more valued (not in a monetary sense, but in a sentimental sense).  Again from participating in a prestigious event (such as NSC, etc.) or in recognition of service rendered by a commander (One of my favs is the one received from the USAF Chief of Chaplains (2001-2004), Maj Gen, Lorraine K. Potter - since retired).  The reason they are valued is the limited quanity of the coins that were available.   Since individual coins cost a bit, there are fewer minted than the generic, mass marketed coins available in the uniform stores.

There are two coins that I always carry with me: the PCR Chaplain's coin and the USAF Core Values coin.

[lordmonar]

They aren't just given out for completing NESA.  You have to be on staff for the first time or a distinguished graduate.

When I went in 2007 everyone got a NESA coin.  The gave out specal coins for the DGs and Staff.

[James Shaw]

I hear that you can get them for excellent uniforms.

If you try for excellence in all you do it will be noticed and you will be justly rewarded. I carry one with me at CAP functions only. I am happy with the ones I have received.

[PHall]

I got two for just being there.

An Operation Deep Freeze coin for landing on the ice at Mc Murdo Station.

A coin my AFRC squadron had made for our 60th Anniversary. If you were a member of the squadron, you got a coin.

So sometimes it's just being in the right place at the right time.

[Fifinella]

^^Plus the major cool points for landing at Mc Murdo...

[BillB]

When Judy says "cool" she means it 20 below zero at McMurdo  Wow, this is my 1000th post

[SJFedor]

They aren't just given out for completing NESA.  You have to be on staff for the first time or a distinguished graduate.

When I went in 2007 everyone got a NESA coin.  The gave out specal coins for the DGs and Staff.

We did? I only got a DG coin in 07, and didn't remember seeing anyone else except staff get them. Students usually just get the patch and usually their ES qual badge (GTM, GTL, MO, etc)

[_]

They aren't just given out for completing NESA.  You have to be on staff for the first time or a distinguished graduate.

When I went in 2007 everyone got a NESA coin.  The gave out specal coins for the DGs and Staff.

We did? I only got a DG coin in 07, and didn't remember seeing anyone else except staff get them. Students usually just get the patch and usually their ES qual badge (GTM, GTL, MO, etc)

They did have general NESA coins for sale during canteen.

[desertengineer1]

Coins are also a general fraternal thing.  I keep an extra 5 or so squadron coins with me whan I go TDY and give them to the folks that support us when we're in town.

Coins are a relatively recent thing, appearing mainstream sometime in the early 1990's.  They were originally just a flyer fad, and heavily tied to debouchery activities.

When they started appearing in official circles I was not very happy at first.  "Coining" someone and catching them without thiers meant they owed you time in the bar - which should never be at doctrine level (i.e. Commander mandates that you hereby go get drunk).  I had a problem with some officers pushing the party thing down to people who I knew didn't drink (religion or other reasons).

But eventually that tamed, and it took a more respectable stage.

I have at least 100 coins from TDY's over the years.  Some I bought as remiders of places I've been.  Others were presented for a job well done.  As someone posted earlier, a few are cherished closely because they were presented as part of special recognition.

My coins from Iraq, several "of the year" awards, and a recent ORI Superior Performer award mean more to me than money ever will.  They DO NOT travel with me. 

[PHall]

When Judy says "cool" she means it 20 below zero at McMurdo  Wow, this is my 1000th post

20 below? Oh you mean during a heat wave! [insert shivering smiley here]

Actually it does get into the 20's during "Summer".