The Challenge Coin Published June 25, 2013 By Tech. Sgt. Thomas Kessler JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- Who has their Basic Training military coin on them? I asked this question to our Vehicle Management graduating class from the 344th Training Squadron, Detachment 1, Port Hueneme Calif. To my surprise, out of a class of 13 only five students raised their hands. And when asked why those five airmen had their coins on them, most replied, "We were told to." There was however, one vehicle mechanic student that had his own personal reason why he always carried his Air Force Basic Training coin on him. Airman Basic Tyler Odin said, "The Basic coin is special to me because I am doing what I personally wanted to do, and this is joining the U.S. Air Force and continuing the family legacy. "The coin signifies that I am actually doing something with my life," Odin said, "It's a symbol of me transferring from civilian life to an Airman." The Vehicle Management schoolhouse has produced a new coin for students, staff members, and graduated Vehicle Management alumni. Many students did not know what a challenge coin is or the history behind it. To answer all their questions, I started to research the history of the challenge coin and located similar stories on line of this one event that is credited with the birth of the challenge coin tradition. This heritage started during World War I. American volunteers filled newly formed flying squadrons. In one squadron a lieutenant ordered medallions with the squadron emblem for every member of his squadron. The pilot's aircraft was shot down and he was captured by a German patrol. To discourage his escape, the Germans took all of his personal identification except for a small pouch that carried his unit medallion. He was transported to a small French village and during an attack he escaped ¬ without any identifying documents. The pilot walked toward a French outpost and sentries there didn't recognize his American accent and believed he was a saboteur. As a last resort, the young American flyer showed his unit medallion to his would-be executioners. One of his French captors recognized the squadron insignia and delayed execution long enough to prove his identity. Instead of shooting the pilot, they offered him a bottle of wine. When the pilot told his story, after returning back to his squadron, it became a tradition to ensure that all members had their medallion at all times and if one member didn't have his medallion during this challenge, he would have to buy drink for the member who challenged him. This tradition continued throughout the war and for many years after while surviving members of the squadron were still alive. Many squadrons have implemented their own rules for the challenge coin. Members of the 344th TRS, DET 1 must carry their school house coin at all times and could be challenged for it anywhere, at anytime. Under no circumstances can a coin be handed to another person. If a person gives the coin to another, that person (the receiver) can keep the coin. However, if a person places the coin down and another person picks it up that is not considered giving. If a person has never been given or bought the coin, that person cannot be expected to be challenged. No holes can be drilled in the coin or alter the coin in any way. Protective plastic coin covers are permissible. The tradition of the military challenge coin has encouraged camaraderie and esprit de corps within the Vehicle Management schoolhouse. Here at the school house we are trying to educate our students not only on basic fire truck maintenance, material handling equipment maintenance, vehicle and equipment maintenance, vehicle management and analysis, and a fundamental automotive mechanics but also pass to them traditions like the challenge coin that symbolize unit identity and brotherhood.