[21twelve]

“After that, it became a tradition for all members to carry their coin with them and to ensure they did so the coin challenge, known today as a Coin Check was established.”

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Interesting history - thanks. But does anybody find it odd that a guy that looks like the president, getting off of Air Force I, has to give a coin to another guy to confirm his identity.

But he doesn’t have to prove his identity to become president in the first place!?

[Hulka]

Exchange of a challenge coin is tradition and has nothing to do with confirming identity. In fact, if a squadron mate produces his challenge coin in a bar and a fellow squadron mate does not have his, the one missing the coin buys the next round.

I have nearly a couple dozen challenge coins I acquired throughout my career, even though I was not in many of those organizations. Giving a challenge coin is just a nice gesture, nothing nefarious.

[Danae]

It’s a cool tradition. I am a member of Epsilon Pi Phi and I am just waiting to get mine so I can exchange them.