Does a Veteran presenting a Challenge Coin carry the same weight as one still in service?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 08:30:31 -0500

As a Veteran, I have all my Challenge coins still in my possession, but do they carry the same weight as they did when you were enlisted as they would now when you challenge someone still in the service?

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Dec 16 at 2014 8:53 AM

Capt Richard I P. — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 08:53:26 -0500

PFC Private RallyPoint Member I never really got into coins, but I know a lot of folk will disagree on that count.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2014 8:58 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 08:58:52 -0500

A lot of government agencies and law enforcement communities use them. I personally only have the one from my "A" school and never did learn the rules for the game.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Dec 16 at 2014 9:36 AM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 09:36:44 -0500

I have been coin checked a few times by vets and retirees. I usually "forget" where my coin is, buy them a drink and have them tell me about their coin.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2014 9:45 AM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 09:45:54 -0500

To my knowledge we didn't have these coins when I was in so I'm rather clueless on them. I know my ex has a SGM of the Army coin as the SGM showed up for his welcome home ceremony. I didn't know SecDef had one. I work for USDA, does the SecAg have one? LOL

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2014 10:15 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 10:15:52 -0500

I still carry one with me, to me it is part pride and partly a reminder of the successful career I had as an NCO. The rest of my coins are displayed on my entertainment stand, and are usually a good conversation piece for my civilian friends and family that see them for the first time.

Response by SPC David S. made Dec 16 at 2014 10:22 AM

SPC David S. — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 10:22:18 -0500

I had a couple of prior 75th Rangers over, one decides to do a coin check. I was out many years when this happened, but I must admit a bit of panic hit me when I realized what was going down. Good thing we were all at my house as I was buying all the drinks anyway. However it could had led to 100 reps of push-ups. The take away from this event was always carry a service coin. Its the military ID for prior service members.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2014 12:10 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 12:10:11 -0500

I got my first coin in the 80's after more than 10 years in service. I have about 30 now, including one 4-star coin.

I carry only one, a Turkish coin, which I carry because of it's rarity. I haven't been coined in years.

Let's face it - there's no regulation that covers coins. Like honor, their weight is what they mean to YOU, not to anyone else. If you don't want to play the game, that's not a problem. It's a choice. If you do want to play, do so, but don't look down on the one who doesn't.

Personally, if I am ever coined by a newly returned combat veteran, I hope I "forgot" my coin as someone else suggested. He needs a drink more than I need one.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2014 12:55 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 12:55:22 -0500

I have a shoebox with my coins in them in my closet with most of my other military things. I haven't been coin checked but maybe one time in the past year. About the only time I carry a coin is when I go to a casino and I use it when I play Texas Holdem to cover my hole cards, lol.

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made Dec 16 at 2014 2:19 PM

SSG Gerhard S. — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 14:19:42 -0500

I still have my Active Duty Challenge coin from 10th SFG(A) which I received during in-processing in 1983. 10th Group was one of the first units to use the challenge coins. YOUR coin should hold the same weight as a Veteran, or Retiree as it did when you were in service!

Response by SP5 Michael Rathbun made Dec 17 at 2014 11:56 PM

SP5 Michael Rathbun — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 23:56:26 -0500

This whole discussion is fascinating to an antique like myself.

I only even heard about challenge coins a few years ago. Now that I have acquired a couple I'm going to have to cruise the bars looking for opportunities for free drinks.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Mar 8 at 2015 9:32 AM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 09:32:08 -0400

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Mar 8 at 2015 11:02 AM

PO2 Steven Erickson — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 11:02:18 -0400

Challenge Coin Clue Free Zone.

Never even heard of them until I met a retired USAF E-9 and saw his collection.

Response by TSgt Kevin Buccola made Mar 8 at 2015 12:00 PM

TSgt Kevin Buccola — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 12:00:15 -0400

Times have changed, Challenge or Commando Coins used to mean a lot. Now they are just given when you arrive at your new location. I still have most of my coins and I keep one in my wallet to this day.

Response by PV2 Violet Case made Mar 8 at 2015 4:15 PM

PV2 Violet Case — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 16:15:40 -0400

thank you all for sharing this conversation , when I was in I never saw coins only unit cress and rings.

Response by SGT Edward Clark made Mar 8 at 2015 5:06 PM

SGT Edward Clark — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 17:06:53 -0400

Served from 1979 to 1992 and never heard for them when I was in and only headr about them about 10 years ago. Have only seen one or two even then.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2015 8:43 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 08:43:22 -0400

Yeah no I usually give them to my kids to play with! When I seen a Soldier get a coin I just think they deserved an award but their leader to lazy to actually do a 638.

Response by CPO William E. Mahoney made Mar 11 at 2015 3:23 PM

CPO William E. Mahoney — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 15:23:49 -0400

As a retired Navy CPO I have been challenged by active duty Chiefs and Senior NCOs on and off base I always have my first coin and my CPO coin in my wallet so I almost always don't end up buying unless I'm to slow on getting one of them out.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 18 at 2015 2:40 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 14:40:59 -0400

Mine are more important to me than my awards... The awards will likely end up in a shadow box that becomes part of the background.. My coins will be a tangible thing my son can play with and appreciate as he grows older..

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2015 7:53 PM

LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 19:53:24 -0400

I have made a lot of different coins for veterans in the past and they often use them to give them away to friends and other supporters of their cause. Pretty cool to make something people care about and will keep with them for maybe the rest of their lives.

Response by SSG Michael Scott made Feb 14 at 2016 8:57 PM

SSG Michael Scott — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 20:57:58 -0500

Yes, they did back then. Now, the new Army does not understand.

Response by SP5 Michael Rathbun made Jul 14 at 2017 12:18 AM

SP5 Michael Rathbun — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 00:18:56 -0400

I confess to being completely mystified by the challenge coin bit, but have acquired a few for my old units, service branch, rank, tour locale... just because I liked how they look. The notion that I could get free booze is interesting, but the possibility seems remote.

Response by SP5 Tom Manning made Jul 20 at 2017 4:27 PM

SP5 Tom Manning — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 16:27:08 -0400

I belong to a military support group that presents Challenge coins to all returning personnel that we greet in our area . The coin, to us , tells the troops that we have their backs at home while they have ours when they are on duty . We just received an PFC from the sandbox who immediately told us that the coin will be treasured since he lost three comrades just before he came stateside. Everybody in the airport at PHL were in tears showing the emotion that this proud PFC had for his fellow troops. He received a commendation from our sister organization, A Heros Welcome , a MASWI Star to carry with him at all times and Warrior Beads from Warriors Watch Riders (my group) . We hope he will display those proudly.