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UTMB
Aerospace Medicine Residency Challenge Coin
We have
designed a challenge coin for the Aerospace
Medicine residency program. As you can see, the coin is 'capsule'
shaped, like the current residency patch. One side of the
the coin features the residency patch in full color. The
opposite side of the coin depicts a ram's head in
relief. The ram is something of a mascot or symbol, as it
stands for Resident in Aerospace Medicine.
The ram's head is surrounded by the emblems of the
groups that make this program so successful: The
University of Texas Medical Branch, NASA, the US Air Force, the
US Army and the US Navy. Each side of the coin is
covered in a protective epoxy resin. A sample coin is
depicted below. Coins are available for purchase ($5) from
Kjell Lindgren.
History of the Challenge Coin
According to one story,
challenge coins originated during World War I. American
volunteers from all parts of the country filled the newly formed
flying squadrons. Some were wealthy scions attending
colleges such as Yale and Harvard who quit in mid-term to join
the war. In one squadron, a wealthy lieutenant ordered
medallions struck in solid bronze and presented them to his
unit. One young pilot placed the medallion in a small
leather pouch that he wore about his neck. Shortly after
acquiring the medallions, the pilots’ aircraft was severely
damaged by ground fire. He was forced to land behind enemy
lines and was immediately captured by a German patrol. In
order to discourage his escape, the Germans took all of his
personal identification except for the small leather pouch
around his neck. In the meantime, he was taken to a small French
town near the front. Taking advantage of a bombardment
that night, he escaped. However, he was without personal
identification. He succeeded in avoiding German patrols by
donning civilian attire and reached the front lines. With
great difficulty, he crossed no-man's land. Eventually, he
stumbled onto a French outpost. Unfortunately, saboteurs had
plagued the French in the sector. They sometimes
masqueraded as civilians and wore civilian clothes. Not
recognizing the young pilot's American accent, the French
thought him to be a saboteur and made ready to execute him.
He had no identification to prove his allegiance, but he did
have his leather pouch containing the medallion. He showed
the medallion to his would-be executioners and one of his French
captors recognized the squadron insignia on the medallion.
They delayed his execution long enough for him to confirm his
identity. Instead of shooting him they gave him a bottle
of wine. Back at his squadron, it became tradition to
ensure that all members carried their medallion or coin at all
times. This was accomplished through challenge in the following
manner - a challenger would ask to see the medallion. If
the challenged could not produce a medallion, they were required
to buy a drink of choice for the member who challenged them. If
the challenged member produced a medallion, then the challenging
member was required to pay for the drink. This tradition
continued on throughout the war and for many years after the war
while surviving members of the squadron were still alive.
(Quoted from http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/intro/coin.htm)
Rules of the Challenge Coin
1. RULES:
A. The challenge is initiated by drawing your coin, holding it
in the air by whatever means possible and state, scream, shout
or otherwise verbally acknowledge that you are initiating a coin
check. Another, but less vocal method is to firmly place it on
the bar, table, or floor (this should produce an audible noise
which can be easily heard by those being challenged, but try not
to leave a permanent imprint). If you accidentally drop your
coin and it makes an audible sound upon impact, then you have
just "accidentally" initiated a coin check. (This is called
paying the price for improper care of your coin.)
B. The response consists of
all those persons being challenged drawing their coin in a like
manner.
C. If you are challenged
and are unable to properly respond, you must buy a round of
drinks for the challenger and the group being challenged.
D. If everyone being
challenged responds in the correct manner, the challenger must
buy a round of drinks for all those people they challenged.
E. Failure to buy a round
is a despicable crime and will require that you turn in your
Coin to the issuing agency.
2. WHEN - WHERE:
A. Coin checks are permitted, ANY TIME, ANY PLACE.
3. EXCEPTIONS:
A. There are no exceptions to the rules. They apply to those
clothed or unclothed. At the time of the challenge you are
permitted one step and an arms reach to locate your coin. If you
still cannot reach it -- TOO BAD!
(Quoted from http://www.coinforce.com/challenge-coin-rules.htm) |
