Central Command Challenge Coins

One of the defining factors characterizing any challenge coin design is the client commissioning the coin. Composed of many different coalition forces and typically separate military assets, CENTCOM is organized down into different component commands with jurisdiction over different military focuses according to each branch of the Armed Forces. Additionally, the organization itself makes use of multiple intelligence assets and agents through the Joint Intelligence Center, Central Command, or JICCENT.  The separate component commands under CENTCOM all cover different geographic and organizational boundaries with their own leaders and personalities, not to mention distinct military units working with them and coalition allies.

To represent their distinct roles under the United States Central Command, many different groups and agencies under their component commands develop challenge coin designs indicative of their roles and responsibilities. While each fall under the heading of a United States Central Command challenge coin, no two are exactly alike, and most carry their own embellishments to better reflect the character and spirit of their organization. 

The component commands of CENTCOM include:

• U.S. Army Central - Headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina, U.S. Army Central forces are the land control experts in much of the Middle East and Central Asia. Their motto is "Tertia Semper Prima," which translates to “Third, Always First,” and is one of the common elements found in challenge coins made in their honor.
• U.S. Naval Forces Central Command - Headquartered in Manama, Bahrain, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command hosts the U.S. 5th Fleet and is key to over 2.5 million miles of land and water over the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, North Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and the Red Sea. With the motto, “Ready, Resilient, Reliable,” they maintain security and stability over the Central Region.
• U.S. Air Forces Central Command - Also located at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina, U.S. Air Forces Central Command controls most major air operations by deploying assets and training recruits. The organization directly commands six different air wings and their component groups.
• U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command - Headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base, in Tampa, Florida, this organization is responsible for directing U.S. Marine forces under CENTCOM.
• U.S. Special Operations Command Central - Headquartered at both MacDill Air Force Base and Qatar, this organization performs a variety of counter-insurgency activities and performs a variety of unconventional war operations.