The Airman's coin is a

challenge coin A challenge coin is a small coin or medallion, bearing an organization's insignia or emblem and carried by the organization's members. Traditionally, they might be given to prove membership when asked and to enhance morale. They are also coll ...

that is awarded to United States Air Force enlisted

Airmen An airman is a member of an air force or air arm of a nation's armed forces. In certain air forces, it can also refer to a specific enlisted rank. An airman can also be referred as a soldier in other definitions. In civilian aviation usage, t ...

upon completion of Basic Military Training at Lackland AFB, Texas. After the award of the coin the individual is no longer referred to as "

trainee A trainee is commonly known as an individual taking part in a trainee program within an organization after having graduated from higher and technical courses. A trainee is an official employee of the firm that is being trained to the job they wer ...

," but as "Airman," marking the successful completion of the first phase of training in becoming an Airman in the United States Air Force.

Award criteria and meaning

The Airman's coin is used to welcome new junior enlisted into the United States Air Force as well as to give the newest members a link to the heritage of the Air Force. The Airman's coin is awarded near the end of Basic Military Training and marks the transition from trainee to Airman. It is usually awarded by a Wing Commander or Command Chief Master Sergeant, but may also be awarded by other personnel such as the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force or even the trainee's own Military Training Instructor. The Airman's coin typically is the first challenge coin awarded to Airmen and is the foundation for an Airman's unique

collection.

Description

The original version of the Airman's Coin features on one side an eagle clawing its way out of the coin with the words "Aerospace Power" underneath it. The entire image is circled with the sentence "Awarded on the occasion of becoming an airman in the world's best Air Force". The reverse of the coin has a white star with a red dot in the center, known as a Hap Arnold star, flanked by a pair of wings. The symbol recalls the Air Force's roots in the Army Air Corps. The symbol is surrounded by the text of the

Core Values Core or cores may refer to: Science and technology * Core (anatomy), everything except the appendages * Core (manufacturing), used in casting and molding * Core (optical fiber), the signal-carrying portion of an optical fiber * Core, the central ...

of the Air Force: ''Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence In All We Do''. The currently issued Airman's Coin replaces the eagle completely, having the new United States Air Force Symbol in its place in dark blue, itself based on the Hap Arnold star on the reverse. Airmans coin 2010

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Airman's Coin Challenge coins United States Air Force Military life Awards and decorations of the United States Air Force