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For background, many moons ago (I think it was four or five deployments ago) I was in a unit that was pretty bad about awards being based off of rank, as opposed to actual accomplishment. The predictable end result was that the more junior Soldiers were getting the short end of the stick, many of which actually threw away their medals immediately after the ceremony in disgust. While I can't fix the Army awards system, I decided to have my own personal coin created, so that I could in some way bridge the gap, show them that at least SOMEONE appreciated their efforts,& that someone noticed and cared. The coins turned out to be very well received, even if people do sometimes give me a bit of a ribbing for having my own coin, but it's a tradition I've continued, because frankly you never know when a Soldier will be in dire need of a gesture of appreciation, and I think of it as a small way I can hopefully pull someone out of the dumps, show them someone appreciated them. My question to you all is this; am I really the only one with my own coin? I didn't think it was all that odd of a thing to do, but other than one or two, I've actually not met anyone else who has their own personal coin. Commander coins, CSM's, Generals, Units, all these we see all the time, but personal seem to be a rarity.
Awards
Coins
Edited >1 y ago
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 38
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I first deployed as a SSG Sergeant and saw my Specialists and Corporal only receive AAMs for 14 months of tough work on a unique mission. I spent a lot of time on their award write ups but could not overcome the rank hurdle. My response was to present each Soldier and NCO on my team a framed collection of personalized deployment photos. The framing was completed by my wife and I. The plaques were presented to the guys during a post deployment dinner in front of the Soldiers' families where I tried to explain their contribution to the team. I commend you Staff Sergeant for seeking to make things right at your level. Sometimes the higher echelons get it wrong but we shouldn't just sit around and complain about it.
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SFC (Join to see)
<p>Sir, I have to say that would mean more to me than any medal for my chest. Very good work, Im incredily impressed.</p><p> </p>
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CMSgt James Nolan
CPT Scott, What you have done there is to provide a troop something that will show for a lifetime. Some may think that frame is no big deal, but there was clearly some effort in it. Later on, when he/she has an office somewhere, you can be damn sure that will be up and in plain view. It would be in mine. Good Effort.
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Way back when I was a wee pup in 2/3 Inf on my first deployment, one of my brothers went up to our BN CSM and gave him a PFC coin from the PX and told him he was doing a hell of a job. I've never seen a CSM smile like that. It was quite epic.
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SFC Michael Hasbun
LOL... I am proud to announce that my coin is sitting in the Pentagon on a few 3-4 star desks =)
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SSG Kevin McCulley
I would also note that was the only CSM smile I've ever seen that didn't strike stark terror in my heart.
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CMSgt James Nolan
SSG Kevin McCulley That is funny. And that is one that I bet he hangs onto, because every time he looks at it, that memory will be there.
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I funded my coins as a battalion commander. They were clearly marked as a commander's coin for excellence. It did not say "Reenlist" or have any other purpose than to recognize someone who was caught doing something right. I think it meant more to the soldiers that it was funded out of my pocket. There may be some circumstances where it is appropriate to spend appropriated funds for coins, but I preferred to avoid all that and make it a personal investment.
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SFC Michael Hasbun
No. I didn't ask a question. I simply stated my preference for coins over sheets over sheets of paper..
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MSG Thomas Currie
SSG (Join to see) - This is a critical step that most units fail to do -- not just when giving someone a coin but for many other sorts of accomplishments. There are many things a soldier can do that don't result in any sort of official record but most of those can become part of the OMPF if the chain of command expends the tiny bit of effort to generate a memorandum congratulating the soldier on their accomplishment. Of course it is also important not to overdo this, you don't want to be doing memos congratulating a soldier for showing up for work on time, but when a soldier does something that sets them apart it should be recognized and recorded.
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