To enhance motivation and boost up the morale of the members of an organization, the coins and medallions having the insignia of organization are distributed among them. This practice is usually common among the military units to make the members' attitude more firm and constant towards the organization. These are best for boosting up the morale of the unit members.
Origins
According to the popular belief, the tradition of army challenge coins started in the United States Air Force when a wealthy lieutenant got coins made of bronze and distributed them among other members of his squadron.
These army challenge coins are very expensive due to being plated with gold. The pilot put the coin in the leather pouch and wore it on the chest. The Germans caught this pilot in WWII. But then because of the bombardment of British on the camp, the pilot got a chance to escape and then he reached the French patrol. They misunderstood him and considered him as the German agent but then he took out the air force coins and showed them to reveal his allegiance.This coin was recognized by one of the Frenchman and luckily the pilot eventually got saved. When the survived pilot came back to his base he told the whole story to other members that how army challenge coins saved his life and so after that this trend got famous.
There are several other stories relating air force challenge coins that brought positive results. These army coins became so famous in short time that various other units also acquired this trend and start making and distributing them among its members so that to boost their morale. The trend of distributing the coins became so popular in short time that this practice is not only common among the military units but other organizations have also adopted it; even students have started distributing the medallions and coins among members so that to lift the morale.
You can judge the popularity of these army coins and air force challenge coins by noticing the flaunt of these army coins at the back of President Bill Clinton or Barack Obama's Oval Office desk. Obama displayed these coins at the Fort Hood shooting commemorating slain soldiers.
The tradition of challenging
The importance of air force coins is still the same, however the honor and pride feelings are somehow reduced. Each member carries these army coins and to ensure this the custom of challenging was planned creatively where every other member of the organization may challenge on the basis of army coins. The one who was unable to produce the army coins was obliged to buy drinks for others. But if the member who challenged, has to buy the drinks if the one whom he challenged produces the coin.
The members who possess these medals place them with pride on their chest pockets. Though these army challenge coins are said to be earned but these days usually people purchase them at auctions so that to save them as collectibles.
11/02/2010
Army Challenge Coins - For Raising Morale
You'll Be Proud To Show – Army Coins
Several medallions or coins bearing the sign of an organization are distributed among the employees so that to enhance the brotherhood and camaraderie relation in between them. They are mostly used by the military units so that the recipients feel the loyalty and brings unwavering attitude towards the organization. Such things are ideal for boosting up the sagging morale of the unit members.
Origins
The custom of air force coins was first introduced by the United States Air Force wealthy lieutenant who distributed the bronze made coins among its member of the squadron.
As these air force challenge coins were plated with gold so they are quite valuable. The coin was placed in leather pouch and worn on the chest by the pilot. The Germans caught this pilot in WWII. By chance, when the British bombarded at the camp he availed the opportunity and escaped from there. They took him as the agent from German and were planning to kill him, then he took out the army coins and showed it to prove his identification and allegiance.This coin was recognized by one of the Frenchman and luckily the pilot eventually got saved. When the pilot came back to its own base, he told the story about the air force coin to all the members and then after this event this became the tradition.
There are several other stories relating air force challenge coins that brought positive results. These army coins soon became so popular that numerous units started to make them and distribute them among the members to boost and lift the confidence of the members and to let them feel the pride of being a member of the group. The fever of distributing insignias soon caught up with all organizations, whether they were military or not, and today one can see even student groups freely distributing these coins or medallions among its members as a means to improve the morale of its members.
You can know about the popularity of these army coins and air force challenge coins by recognizing the behavior of the Presidents like Bill Clinton and present Barack Obama who flaunt these army coins at the back of their oval Office desk. Obama has displayed these army coins in Fort Hood in the honor of slain soldiers.
The tradition of challenging
The passion related to these air force coins has somehow thinned now but the importance is still at the same place. The tradition of army coins was planned creatively where every member can challenge the other member by these army coins so this ensures that every member possess them. The one who was unable to produce the army coins was obliged to buy drinks for others. But if the person who was challenged succeeded to produce the coin then the challenger has to buy the drinks.
Holders show these army coins and medals by placing them at their chest pockets to show their honor. These coins are rewarded as an honor but these days people usually purchase them at auctions as collectible items
