Question For Vets about Military Coins

[BTCat]

Way off topic: I have a question for you vets or anyone with a good knowledge of this. What is the significance of an officer handing a soldier a military coin (real deal, not a token)?

[coffinsnail]

The coin was originally created by a SF Seargent to motivate his men. He gave them all a penny that was smashed then engraved with their unit and his name. If he dropped his coin (any time day and anywhere) and you did not produce yours you owed him pushups. If everyone near him produced theirs he did the pushups. It was intended for moral.

Gradually it grew and everyone tends to get one at some point. Here is how it works now.

You do not buy your own, someone else presents you with it. If you are at work you do as above and pay pushups. But out on the town when you are drinking. You may hear the significant loud clang of a coin being bounced off a table. All those, all Branches at the table must produce their coin. If one person does not produce the coin, he buys a round of drinks. If everyone produces it then the lowest ranking coin pays the round. IE i produce a Generals coin and everyone eles has sgt and below ones you lose and the lowest ranked seargent pays up. It is based off the rank on the coin. Most coins have the rank of the person and name, when its made. Thus i could have a Seagent Majors coin, and he gave it to me when he was my corpral. Unless he is the Command Seagent major his coin is lowest. But if he is the command seargent major and eveyone knows and they produce his CSM coin that they got a week ago, mine would trump theirs due to the amount of time i had it.

The rules fluctuate alot, and nomally end up with if you drop a coin no matter the rank, and everyone produces it you pay up no matter the ranks on it. Usually happens when everyone is to drunk to give a dam lol.

Most often the coins are given as special recognition by the officer or nco. sometimes they are given just because they want to show that you worked for them. The giving is based on each individual and how and why they want to give them out.

[BTCat]

Thanks Coffin, I like that summary. I searched the internet but got a lost of junk.

I have worked as a civilian on several military contracts and have worked mainly with reservists and military personnel who are working directly with the primary contractor. One officer (one star General) I worked with off and on for 10 years is changing positions and was making a final visit to the plant I had worked with. There were a lot of coins (basically token coins from companies) being passed. I shook hands with the General and put the coin in my pocket. When I walked away and looked at it, it was an actual Brigadier General's coin complete with name, and a serial number. It caused a pretty good stir with some of our vets and a few offers to buy it. No one else got one ;D ;D ;D one guy did tell me I could get a lot of free drinks with it.

I have it stashed. It ain't leaving ;D

[coffinsnail]

very cool, when your around military bases out and about make sure you have it on you. throw them guys off when you slam yours down in responce lol and dont be nice make it hit hard either under your hand or drop it so they hear it.

[19000rpm]

I'm not knowledgeable about the military coin lore, as is coffin BT, although I'm a vet, but the General was certainly telling you something about your value to him. Always something to be proud of. Not too many military give an honorary to civvies.

Happy landings

[coffinsnail]

i only know about it cause it started in 5th group sf, which was right next door to my unit when i was at ft campbell.

[BTCat]

I guarantee this -- I'm keeping this thing for a long time. I had heard little bits about the history, but not too much about modern significance. The Romans used to do something similar back in the day.

My supervisor is practically green ;D ;D ;D . His is one of the biggest Aholes I have ever met. Serves him right ;D