Base Coins Take the Unit Coin to the Next Level
Challenge coins that symbolize a soldier’s place within an elite unit are common. They often feature images and words that embody the spirit of the unit and the military branch to which they belong. These coins increase camaraderie and grow to represent the unbreakable bond shared between soldiers.
Military base challenge coins carry the same basic meanings and can represent the same ideals, but they tend to go a bit farther than military unit coins. Because a military base is both a training facility for enlisted men and women and a small, insular, community built up of those soldiers, the people working on the base, and the spouses and children of the soldiers who live there, the coins often take on a deeper meaning. These coins aren’t just for a small number of soldiers within one unit, they represent an entire collection of people who come together to make the dreams of this country into a reality.
Challenge Coins in and Around Fort Benning
With a history spanning back 100 years, and as the only base responsible for the training of Army Infantry Soldiers, Fort Benning in Georgia is one base to which soldiers have especially strong ties. With six schools located on the base, numerous restaurants and recreational activities, Fort Benning is more than just a military base, it’s a community.
Speaking of the schools on the base, Edward A. White Elementary School serves grades K-5. Because of the nature of military life, with the need to uproot and move at a moment’s notice, military families with children have had to adapt to changing schools regularly. E.A. White recognizes this problem and has created programs to quickly assess a new student’s learning level so that they can move quickly into a new environment without losing any momentum.
This is the first coin E.A. White has ordered from us. It’s a direct celebration of the school. Featuring an image of the school’s lion mascot and motto on the front face, the back face consists of an intricately detailed 2D view of the front of the school building. Plated in an antique gold that pairs perfectly with the school’s natural blue, the coins are a perfect example of a type of military base challenge coin: The focus isn’t on the soldiers stationed in Fort Benning, it’s on the people behind the scenes who help to make the base a home.
In addition to training the best soldiers in the U.S. Army, Fort Benning also provides a dedicated space to the training of experienced law enforcement personnel in the use of force and advanced weapons usage. The above coin was created for the ICE Office of Training and Tactical Programs (OTTP) Firearms and Tactics Division, which makes its home in Fort Benning.
This coin makes use of a 3D mold on the front as well as a translucent blue colorfill that looks great against the antique silver plating. At 2.75”, this oversized coin really shows off all of the different aspects of its design and makes a strong impression on the agents heading to Fort Benning for some extra training.
If you thought none of the Fort Benning challenge coins were being created for the soldiers themselves, think again. This recent order is a very special coin in honor of a unique and really important unit at the base. The Fitness Training Unit is dedicated to helping facilitate the return to duty of as many soldiers as possible. This extends to soldiers who have been injured in combat and require physical therapy to recuperate, as well as soldiers who were unable to pass an Army Physical Fitness Test.
Cut to the shape of a kettlebell and featuring an awesome skull design, this otherwise simple coin is also a functional bottle opener. It’s a strong symbol of the hard work and dedication needed to get back into service shape after an injury, and the hard work that goes into a lot of soldiers getting into shape to begin with. And after all that hard work, what’s a better way to celebrate than using the coin to pop open a cold one and replace all of the calories burned?
Ordering Fort Benning Challenge Coins
It’s common for items like DVDs and video games for sale on and around military bases to be packaged with unique challenge coins for the men and women who buy them. But these are not the only challenge coins that can be found on any given military base. Coins that honor both the people who work on the base and call the area home as well as the soldiers and other agents who go there for special training are common.
Because military bases are complete communities within themselves, the possibilities for challenge coins are endless. Whether for the staff at the hospitals that keep everyone healthy, or the unique first responder employees who keep everyone safe, or anyone else lucky enough to call Fort Benning home, these keepsakes represent something very special. To order custom coins for the men and women on your base, just contact us today and we’ll get your first free artwork proof to you within 48 hours.
