Challenge of the Coin

Challenge of the Coin: A Pocketful of Tradition

Many members of the military — both former and current — enjoy going out and enjoying a pint of their favorite brew with fellow co-workers, especially after a hard shift.

Imagine the scenario: You’re in group of, let’s say, 10. Who pays the first round?

Well, that’s when a pocket-sized tradition comes into play. And it all begins with two words — “Coin Check!” At that point, a service member better have the most important piece of metal in their pocket. A challenge coin.

The tradition of today’s modern challenge coin first began around World War I. According to one legend, an officer in the U.S. Army Air Corps (forerunner of the U.S. Air Force) had a coin created that he kept in a leather pouch around his neck. This was a wise precaution, as it turned out.

His plane was shot down and he was captured by a German patrol, who took all of his identification, except for the coin in the pouch. The officer then escaped capture and made his way to a French outpost. The commander of the outpost thought the officer was an enemy, until the officer showed his coin, which bore the officer’s unit insignia, making him an ally.

A second story claims the tradition started in Vietnam, when an Army infantry-run bar was trying to figure out a way to keep non-infantry from coming in to buy drinks — so they devised an ingenious “challenge,” so to speak. Bullets, spent or not, were plentiful in the wake of a firefight and were ready proof you were an infantryman.

This soon got out of hand, as other proof like enemy grenades and unexploded ordinance were being offered as proof. Then a coin was created with the infantry’s unit insignia on it. Thus a “coin check” was done from that point on. If you had the coin, you were good.

So, what are the rules to follow when a “coin check” is issued? Here is what you need to know: 1. A “Coin Check” involves a challenge and a response. The challenge is initiated by a person pulling out a challenge coin, holding it in the air and then verbally announcing a coin check. Another way to initiate a coin check is to tap the coin on a table or bar, so the noise of the coin can be heard. Also, if you accidentally drop a challenge coin, the sound of the coin being dropped initiates a challenge. (This is considered a penalty for not properly caring for your coin. Don’t be that person!)

2. All people respond by pulling out a coin in the same manner. 3. If you are unable to respond to the challenge, you buy a round of drinks for the person who initiated the challenge, as well as the rest of the group. 4. If all are able to respond, the initiator of the challenge buys the round. 5. Failure to buy a round is considered a despicable crime and requires that you turn in your coin to the issuing agency. 6. Coin checks can be done ANY TIME, ANY PLACE. 7. There are no exceptions to the rules. It does not matter if you are in uniform or in regular clothes. At the time of the challenge, you’re permitted one step and an arm’s reach to locate your coin. Still can’t find it? Sorry!

The most important thing about challenge coins, other than deciding who buys the drinks, is that A COIN IS A COIN — meaning if you were given a coin, it’s in recognition of an accomplishment. A coin is also given to promote esprit de corps among battalions, fleets, squadrons and units across all the branches of the military.

It’s a tradition that will always have a special meaning to all military. Currently serving, retired or veteran.

By Cory Burton

Fall 2018 | Carolina Brew Scene | 63