The Challenge Coin

For those of you out there who have never heard of the challenge coin, it is a military right of passage. You earn a challenge coin by either being with a certain command or working with a command and then given a coin for your hard work. When Veterans are out and one gets to bragging about how badass they are or all of their mighty accomplishments, another Veteran will pull their coin and place it on the table, overtly calling the braggart out. And 99% of the time it is quickly known who the biggest badass is in the room. For example, If a Seal Team Six member, dropped his coin, VERY few Veterans would even bother pulling their's out. I'm prior Navy, so Seals are definitely some of my heroes. Needless to say if a Green Beret, An Air Force BJ, or a MARSOC guy dropped their coin I would be equally impressed. But where the fuck is the civilian version of that? All of these men are badass not because of their power but because of their discipline. They not only went to boot camp, but went to several other school for training. Now none of these schools are considered "hazing" because everyone is required to do the same tasks, to learn, to understand, and to acquisition the amount of discipline required and demanded of them for the missions they will have to carry out.

I'm 6ft., 200+ pounds (no need to get into that exact number), over the course of my life studied different forms of martial arts, and qualified on countless weapons. That being said, my Father informed me at a very young age, "Son, no matter how big and bad you think you are, there could quit possibly be a bigger badder man in the room, be careful". He also taught me over the years in examples and words that humility goes a whole heck of a lot further then trying to brag about how great you are.

Why do I bring all of this up? I'm sick and tired of being hazed in the civilian sector. My doctor continues to encourage to find a positive outlet for my anger, aggression, and negative energy. So I decided I wanted to become a fine woodworker. I have planned a secret mission for myself that involves fine woodworking (I can see my brother now showing me his shocked face...LOL). Everything in my life is a fight and a struggle, and my doctor asked me, "How many fights do you really think you have left in you?" I wanted to look at her as say, "Well, we shall see which one kills me...HAHAHA", I just don't think she would find that as funny as I do. Today I walked in SD Fine wood worker's association looking to join, to be guided, to be taught, looking to be apart of a group of accomplished wood workers. I walked in, wait to be acknowledged, and said I would like to join and had a few questions. I mean that is the equivalent of asking to be hazed. "Well son, what do you know about wood working", in the most condescending voice possible. AND YES!!!! EVERYONE there was retired. Great!!! A bunch of almost dead guys, with nothing better to do, you would think they would like some young blood in there to keep their traditions alive, but I could be wrong.

So for about 15 minutes I bit my tongue and remained humble until pushed a little too far. Hazing me is a bad idea!!! I'm all for paying my dues, but I didn't show up saying I was impressive, but instead I was asking for guidance. Finally, when I had as much as I could take, I bowed up. "Yes sir, as a combat Veteran who has operated heavy machinery, weaponry, built things overseas out of whatever shit we had available to us, I think I can handle your instruction and your safety procedures."

"Oh, thank you for your service."

At this point I just wanted to strangle him slowly. There is no need to fucking haze me.

So my question...Where is the civilian challenge coin? To all of you millennials out there who think you are going to be trendy and come up with a civilian version of the challenge coin, you will get your snowflake ass kicked by some real serious Veterans who have earned their coins. But dealing with civilians, and trying to remain humble constantly presents as a challenge.