Challenge Coins

[48thStreetCustom]

Anyone else have one? I'm a member of two orders that require me to produce them on demand at any time or I'm required to buy a round.

 

[Dean N]

Rather than start a new thread, I'll resurrect this one.

I have one. It was given to me by one of my closest friends, who was a flight surgeon in Afghanistan. He put more blown up soldiers back together than he'll ever talk about. I'll never ask for stories. I kept in touch and sent him care packages when he was over there. He's a big music fan like me, and really appreciated the communication from back home. (One package included the Zep complete recordings.) When I learned about the tradition of the challenge coin, receiving it meant a lot to me.

I'm looking for etiquette for civilians. The rules I've found state they apply to anyone who is or ever was in possession on a coin. Now, I'd never issue a challenge, but if someone issues a challenge in my presence, does it apply to me? I'm planning to meet up with another old friend (career military) that I haven't seen in years, and would like to be prepared. He's the kind of guy that would try to screw with me by doing a coin challenge.

What do the TB vets have to say?

And if you have cool coin stories, please share!

 

[Gorn]

What's a challenge coin?

 

[ONYX]

What's a challenge coin?

Everything you need to know: Challenge coin - Wikipedia

 

[Dean N]

This.

Or here.

 

[LeftyD]

All I remember about challenge coins is if someone drops his on the ground, the person that does not respond with their coin buys a round of drinks.

 

[GIBrat51]

Yeah, I have a couple of them - I think. My generic RED HORSE challenge coin is on my dresser (no idea why); if I do have any others, they're in some box o' junk somewhere... I can't remember ever using a challenge coin, to tell the truth...
Anyway, as to the rules; if you aren't in that unit or organization, the challenge doesn't apply to you. And, personally? I'd keep that coin your friend gave you safely tucked way. Some military units can get pretty crabby about "outsiders" having one of their challenge coins...

 

[Pilgrim]

I tote a Washington State University challenge coin at all times. (Big surprise..)

 

[slobake]

Don't have a challenge coin but I do have one of these stashed away somewhere. I'm told that if I want to drink I can put it in a glass full of booze and if it melts it is okay for me to have a drink.

 

[Ox Boris]

If it's all fun with no compunction to participate, this is the equivalent of any lighthearted pub game that a touring Rugby team might invent.
The moment there is coercion or enforcement of "rules" or any kind of words, action or expression designed to deride those not participating, it becomes "Papers please," and you can FRO.

I call it "Poppy Fascism" where doing nothing, the mere absence of participation (read: prostration, submission, reverence) is considered an act worthy of attracting physical violence for being disrespectful. I purposely stopped wearing a Poppy around Remembrance Day, just because people started attacking those who weren't.

 

[MAJOR METAL]

The Police Department I work for gives challenge coins to those who pass probation.

 

[Pacman]

I have shoeboxes full of them. Every commander and senior enlisted in the military has them, and bands tend to get them by the bucketload.

 

[Chicory Blue]

What a lovely tradition! I'd never heard of it before.
Someone ought to fashion one in burst and tort...

--^@

 

[Ironbar]

I have two challenge coins that I won in actual challenges. They are for winning the pistol speed steel challenge at the end of the four day defensive handgun course at Front Sight in Nevada. (Not real keen about the "man on man" wording on the coin though, LOL! The first I won in 2013, the second just last year.

I hope this post doesn't violate some rule here.

Link Removed

 

[Tom Bomb]

An erstwhile friend, many moons ago, had one of these. I liked it so much I copied it - still have the drawing - ergo no need for the token