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AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq — A Marine sits at his table during Mess Night when a fellow Marine asks him for his coin. When the Marine cannot produce the coin in question, he is required to buy his fellow service member a drink. This may seem odd to people not familiar with military traditions, but this kind of interaction is very common among service members and it also boosts morale.
The tradition of challenge coins is said to go back to World War I, when an American volunteer lieutenant ordered several coins bearing his squadron's insignia. He always carried his coin in a pouch around his neck.
While on a mission, he was shot down behind enemy lines and then captured by a German patrol who took all his personal belongings except his pouch. He managed to escape the German guards and made his way to a French outpost.
The French were suspicious that the American was a saboteur as they did not recognize his accent and he had no identification. As the French prepared to execute him, he presented his coin and the French soldiers confirmed his squadron and identity. Rather than executing him, they gave him a bottle of wine.
In continuing this tradition, Marines often carry challenge coins with them during The Marine Corps Ball and Mess Nights. According to the general rules when using challenge coins, if a Marine asks a fellow service member to present his coin and he cannot, he is required to buy a drink for the challenging service member. However, if he has his coin, the challenger buys him a drink.
While service members can purchase their own coins, it is more customary to receive one as an award from commanding officers and senior staff non-commissioned officers.
"When our officers give coins to personnel, they are treated as awards," explained 1st Lt. Jesus Dominguez, aide-de-camp for the deputy commanding general of Multi-National Force - West. "Much like a certificate of commendation or letters of appreciation, these coins are not just given. They are awarded to service members who go above and beyond the call of duty."
Many Marines keep all the coins they receive from their former commanding officers and reminisce about their favorite awards.
"I remember my favorite coin was one I got from the commanding officer of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 36," said Cpl. Brian Mauer, an administrative clerk with the staff secretary office. "It was in a small bag with some sand from Iwo Jima. I keep it back home in the states in a display."
"My first coin was from my commanding officer after I won a Marine of the Quarter board in 1999," said Dominguez.
The coins serve as a morale boost for service members who put in extra effort.
"When the general goes out to border forts and points of entry to visit the hard working Marines, the coins are a good way to recognize Marines for their efforts on the spot," said Dominguez. "It's his way of letting them know that their work doesn't go unnoticed."
| Date Taken: | 09.21.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 09.26.2009 06:55 |
| Story ID: | 39293 |
| Location: | AL ASAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 425 |
| Downloads: | 245 |
This work, Challenge coin tradition lives on in the Corps, by Cpl Triah Pendracki, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
