The Challenge coin debate....

[Craig]

Angie - I love talking about all different military things, including coins.  I wanted to throw my 2 cents in again.

 

I understand that you believe that only military members should pass on military coins to other military members.  I guess we will have to agree to disagree on that.  In my shadow box two of my most honored challenge coins were presented by civilians.

 

- I have one presented by the director of the National Security Agency (NSA).  I truly wished I could go into details of how I got that, but being a Cryptologic Technician (CT), I can't.  However, it does mean quite a bit to me.  However, by your definition and since this was presented by a civilian (the head of NSA), it has no honor in my shadow box.   

- My second coin was presented by Vice President Dan Quayle (1989 to 1993) when I work with the White House Communication Agency (WHCA).  Since VP Quayle wasn't in the military, nor ever in the military chain-of-command, I guess that coin doesn't mean anything either. 

 

 

No matter what you call the coin, it's still will still be called a challenge coin.  Much like being a former snipe (for those civilians means the engineering branch of the Navy), do you say "Give me that dang adjustable open end wrench" or do you say "Give me that dang crescent wrench"? 

 

There is some things I will never change, heck I'm 52, I'd not changing for anyone, but I bet everyone here on this board will understand:

When I say kleenex,  I mean facial tissues.

When I say xerox, I mean photocopying.

When I say googleing, I mean searching on the internet.

When I say coke, I mean any type of soft drink.

When I say chapstick,  I mean lip balm.

When I say q-tips, I mean cotton tipped swabs.

When I say tupperware, I mean plastic food containers.

When I say challenge coin, I mean any type of coin.

 

Let me use my son for an example.   When he was 18, he was lost, he had no focus for his future. What took me 18 years to try to teach him, the Navy did in 8 weeks, which I am thankful.  This same kid who stayed out till 3am partying, had many traffic tickets, would sassed back to his mom, now is the top in his group.  He won Sailor of the year for base, and also receive a Joint Service Commendation Medal (the highest medal you can get if you're not in a war zone) for his work.   Anytime I can praise him, I do. It goes way further than some dang Letter of Appreciation. For things like coin, I know it hits especially hard in his heart because I know he loves coin collecting (like the US state quarters).

 

My praise to him is everlasting.  Being a guy, we guys don't show our emotions by hugs and kisses.  We show it by saying verbal things or by buying something.    Yes, I could buy a t-shirt, a water bottle, or anything.  However, those things don't last.  Heck a t-shirt will last 5 washings and it is faded, torn, or obsolete.  I needed to give him something that would last forever (or until he lost it).  A coin is that item.  It is something he carries in his pocket and has carried for the past 5 years.  He has told me it reminds him that I am the cornerstone in his life, and that he built his life around me.  He knew that by me buying the coin, I went out of my way.   He respected that I took the time to think of him.  It wasn't one of those pop-into Best Buy things.  It was something that took thought, which guys never do.  If I can make such a impact on his life by buying a coin, so be it.  He earned it.  

 

 Think of the moms here.  Don't you think they would respect that their mom knew what the different colors mean for their rate?  I know the sailors would, I have worked with deppers and new sailors for years on my website.  I know how their brains work.  They would respect that their mom who took the time and understood it.  It puts them on the same level.   That's why I always suggest to the moms that they really need to buy a rate coin, and to make dang sure they get the correct color.  There are 4 different colors:

Blue = Construction

Green = Air

White = Normal

Fire =  Engineering

https://store.nwtmint.com/Navy/Rank/

 

Anyone can buy material things.  What you can't buy is the effort it takes to find the correct gift. 

Frankly, much like these moms, I think they deserve to buy themselves a coin. Why not put some bling out there showing you are a proud Navy moms.  Buy a coin that says Proud Navy Mom and hang it up on this years Christmas tree.

Again,  just my thoughts.....

For those that enjoy challenge coins, join this group at NavyForMoms:

http://www.navyformoms.com/group/challengecoins

[Craig]

navyknit - Ship 4 is the USS Arleigh Burke.  It was the 11th ship to be built at Great Lakes and was commissioned Nov 2008.

It was named after the destroyer DDG-51 which is a lead ship in the entire series.  DDG-51 was named after former CNO Adm Arleigh "'31-knot" Burke.

I haven't did that coin yet.  The reason is I'm waffling back-n-forth about the coin.  I need to make the coin for the sailors, but the mom's will not like the coin since most sailors in that ship are future members of the SEAL team.  It needs lots of weapons of things like "Death before dishonor" which moms don't like, but the sailor do.  I usually side with the sailors.

Maybe I'll ask PIRGifts that this needs to be two different types of coins one for the RCU and for moms not wanting "death" things, and one for the sailors who love stuff like that.  I truly don't think they will agree to it, because it is just such a risk for them, but I'll ask....