NOW IN THE NEWS

RECRUIT TRAINING REGIMENT CHALLENGE COINS

..| Release: 04.21.08

..| Transmission broadcast from: MCRD, San Diego

WHEN WHERE AND WHAT TIME

..| Family Day and Graduation Day  in 2008

..| MCRD Command Museum and from Drill Instructors located on the MCRD Exchange Mall

..|  7:00 AM - 6:00 PM

RESTRICTIONS

..| None

..| Coins can be purchased by anyone

WHERE TO BUY YOUR COINS

Recruit Training Regiment unit coins can be purchased from the MCRD San Diego Command Museum or from the Drill Instructors located on the MCRD Exchange Mall on Parents Day and Graduation Day. 

COST

Recruit Training Regiment Challenge Coins are sold for $10.00 each. All proceeds support morale, welfare, and recreation initiatives for the Regiment’s Marines and their families.  Support your son's Drill Instructors today!

HISTORY OF THE COINS

Like so many other aspects of military tradition, the origins of the challenge coin are a matter of much debate with little supporting evidence. While many organizations and services claim to have been the originators of the challenge coin, the most commonly held view is that the tradition began in the United States Army Air Service (a forerunner of the current U.S. Air Force) during World War I.

As the legend goes, a wealthy lieutenant, ordered small, solid-bronze medallions (or coins), which he then presented to the other pilots in his squadron as mementos of their service together. The coin was gold-plated, bore the squadron’s insignia, and was quite valuable. One of the pilots in the squadron, who had never owned anything like the coin, placed it in a leather pouch he wore around his neck for safekeeping. A short while later, this pilot’s aircraft was shot down behind enemy lines and he was captured by the Germans. The Germans confiscated the personal belongings from his pockets, but they didn’t catch the leather pouch around his neck.  He was held overnight in a small German-held French village near the front.  During the night, the town was bombarded by the British, creating enough confusion to allow the pilot to escape.

The pilot avoided German patrols by donning civilian attire, but all of his identification had been confiscated so he had no way to prove his identity. With great difficulty, he made contact with a French patrol. Unfortunately for him, the French mistook the American pilot for a German saboteur and immediately prepared to execute him.  Desperate to prove his allegiance and without any identification, the pilot pulled out the coin from his leather pouch and showed it to his French captors.  One of the Frenchmen recognized the unit insignia on the coin and delayed the execution long enough to confirm the pilot’s identity.

Once the pilot safely returned to his squadron, it became a tradition for all members to carry their coin at all times.  To ensure compliance, the pilots would challenge each other to produce the coin.  If the challenged couldn’t produce the coin, he was required to buy a drink of choice for the challenger.  If the challenged could produce the coin, the challenger would purchase the drink. 

This tradition spread to other flying squadrons and, eventually, to other military units in all branches of service and even to non military organizations. Today, challenge coins are given to service members as an award to improve morale and sold to commemorate special occasions or as fundraisers.

THE HISTORY OF THE CHALLENGE

The tradition of a challenge is the most common way to ensure that members are carrying their unit's coin. The rules of a challenge are not always formalized for a unit, and may vary between organizations.  The challenge, which can be held at any time, begins with the challenger drawing his/her coin.  Anyone being challenged must immediately produce their coin for their organization and anyone failing to do so must buy a drink of choice for the challenger.  However, should anyone challenged be able to produce their coin, the challenger must buy a drink of choice for that individual.  While this tradition is normally associated with a social atmosphere, units will substitute push ups for a drink of choice.

The Recruit Training Regiment unit coins are some of the most highly coveted challenge coins within the Marine Corps.  It is these coins that represent each Marine’s first unit in the Corps. The coins serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced and overcome during recruit training.  The coins also serve as a brilliant memento or souvenier for proud family members who travel to see their loved ones graduate from boot camp.

INFORMATION

Bunny Hand

Command Museum Gift Shop Manager

MCRD San Diego

P   619.524.8272

E   giftshop@mcrdmhs.org

A   P. O. Box 400085, San Diego, CA 92140-0085