I work in the IT world. The US Navy is one of our clients. Once a year the Navy commander responsible for our program pays us a visit to discuss the project. Last year during his visit he presented everyone in our group a challenge coin.

This year’s visit is scheduled for later this month. I never had the honor of serving in any branch of the military and have very little knowledge of the customs and protocols surrounding challenge coins.

I know I will carry it with me into the meetings but have no idea what to expect or whether or not I’m supposed to initiate an exchange involving the coin.

Any ideas on what I should expect and what may be expected of me?

Thanks for whatever information you can share.

Nothing is expected. Just keep it in your pocket if you feel the need to bring it with you. You won't be expected to slap it on the table on demand or anything hokey like that.

In over 20 years of service I have acquired a whole small drawer full of them. I couldn't tell you much about protocol though, never in all these years have I been "challenged", nor do I ever carry any of them with me.

In theory, if you serve/served in the same unit as someone and they produce their coin and you don't have yours on you, you owe them a drink.

Be very careful and choose amongst your options wisely.

You could end up with your home in conflagration and your own bad self Excommunicado .

Challenge coins are given as a token of appreciation, usually for a job well done. They have no meaning except in bar games.

It seems to me that these days most “challenge” coins are just mementos.
I don’t think that General Tommy Franks is going to ask me to see the one of his. Then again, he didn’t give it to me, so he probably doesn’t even know I have it.

The first time I received a coin I was the watch commander inside Cheyenne Mountain. Being a Navy guy, I had no idea what this thing was. All I knew is that it wouldn't fit in the gedunk machine. I thought whats's the point of this.

I still don't.

No protocol or expectations. Just show up and shake the guy's hand if offered the chance. No need to bring your coin. I've never once carried a coin or been challenged. All my coins are in a nice wooden flag display that my wife bought me for Christmas last year.

Thanks everyone for the information.

Even you RichardC

Challenge Coin Etiquette:

>>> https://www.cristaux.com/blog/...enge-coin-etiquette/

quote:

Originally posted by djinco:
The first time I received a coin I was the watch commander inside Cheyenne Mountain. Being a Navy guy, I had no idea what this thing was. All I knew is that it wouldn't fit in the gedunk machine. I thought whats's the point of this.

I still don't.

Spoken like a true sailor!

I just got into Nuclear Prototype school. They give you a plastic ID badge to wear. First week, I'm down by the gedunk machines. I see the change machine. I look at the dollar bill slot. I look at my plastic ID. I wondered would it fit? I take my ID off the clip, put the ID in the slot, and damned if the change machine grabbed it and swallowed it from between my fingers.

I go back up to the study hall to think how I was going to explain how I lost my ID that gets me inside this secret clearance facility. About half an hour later, another student comes up to me and asks, "Is this yours?"

I said, "Yeah, where'd you find it?"

He said, "I was getting change for my dollar bill, I stick my dollar in the change machine, then it spit out your ID. I never got my dollar or any change back!"

That was a start of a good friendship.

I had to do an Internet search on "gedunk machine"--we didn't all serve in the Navy.

flashguy

quote:

Originally posted by RichardC:
Be very careful and choose amongst your options wisely.

You could end up with your home in conflagration and your own bad self Excommunicado .

Hahaha I was reading this thinking about the suitcase of coins he kept in his basement.

quote:

Originally posted by HighZonie:
Challenge Coin Etiquette:

>>> https://www.cristaux.com/blog/...enge-coin-etiquette/

Recall the story of a commander that took his challenge coin out. His officers then all pulled theirs out. Then the commander put his away.
Was there a challenge? If so did the commander lose? It made for several discussions. As the rules have never been formalized there was uncertainty. Does taking it out and handling it constitute a challenge? Does the coin have to be placed on the bar? Does the challenger have to say anything?

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:
I had to do an Internet search on "gedunk machine"--we didn't all serve in the Navy.

flashguy

Me, too. Wikipedia: Gedunk bar

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:
I had to do an Internet search on "gedunk machine"--we didn't all serve in the Navy.

flashguy

Well if you're not learning something new, you're getting old.

Now you can thank a sailor for keeping you young.

I think there is nothing to worry about, unless you were enlisted or commissioned in any service. If not then you have no worries.

I do know exactly how much not carrying you Chiefs coin will cost you.

During the oil spill while awaiting a simple letter form persru, I was deployed and found myself with my brother visiting me in Mobile Ala....while getting dinner at the Fishbones next door to the hotel another chief walked in and immediately slapped his coin on the counter, he turned looked at me and demanded my coin. Of course I had left it at home in N.C.... after thT challenge, I had my wife ship it to me in ALA..