My Coins - F/51

This particular coin is a company coin that F Co leadership ordered for the Soldiers to commemorate our tour in '07 - '08. We were in Iraq during the Surge. This coin was never given out as an award. Instead, we were allowed to purchase the coins for either $5 or $10, but I'm not sure which price. I believe we were also limited as to the number of coins each Soldier could purchase. I will always hold this coin close to my heart because it is a reminder of the men with whom I had the honor of serving. I "cut my teeth" in F Co, as it was there where I began to establish myself in the Army. F Co was my first unit of assignment and it was with F Co that I deployed for the first time. I enjoyed both success and failure in F Co. At times, I was commended for being a hard worker and knowing my job. At other times, my mouth got me into more trouble than I care to recount here. The leadership in F Co sent me to the promotion board for the first time. I was not prepared for that board appearance and I failed miserably. A few months later, I asked the First Sergeant when he would send me back. He asked me if I would pass if he sent me back. I told him that I would kick behind and take names. He then asked me when I wanted to go. I told him that I would go whenever he told me I was going. He told me to be ready for the next month's board. I was ready. I went to the board and "aced" it. In those days, promotion points were awarded for board appearances. The maximum number of points you could get was 150. I got the 150. Upon returning to my company, I saw the Commander and First Sergeant. By that point, they had heard that I had passed. I asked them if they heard how I did. They both answered in the negative. So, when I told them, both their jaws dropped. My Commander said something to the effect of "holy cow, you weren't playing around, were you!?" I replied with a "no" then looked at the First Sergeant and said "see, I told you that if you'd send me back, I'd kick tail and take names." Then I said, "actually, I was having so much fun kicking tail that I didn't even bother with taking names." That got a good chuckle.

One side of the coin features the scroll of the 51st Infantry Regiment, on one side of the scroll is the FCo--company's letter designation. The center of the scroll has the words "LONG RANGE SURVEILLANCE" which denotes the mission of the company. The other side of the scroll has "51ST" which is the Regimental designation of the unit. Above the scroll is the "RANGER" tab. Below the scroll is a yellow triangle with the tip pointing down, reminiscent of the old "RECONDO" insignia from Vietnam days. In the center of the scroll is an eyeball with a globe in the center, which indicates that the unit is capable of observing the enemy anywhere in the world. On either side of the triangle are "OIF" and "07 - 09" indicating the dates of this particular tour. At the bottom is the RANGER motto: "RANGERS LEAD THE WAY." The other side of the coin has a RANGER tab, a map of Iraq with 51 in the center, various special skills badges that include Airborne jump wings w/combat star, the Pathfinder Badge, the HALO Badge, the Scuba Badge, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. A scroll with the words "I SERVE" also appears. This scroll denotes the motto of the 51ST Infantry Regiment. Around the outside are the words "LONG RANGE SURVEILLANCE CO" and "XVIII AIRBORNE CORPS."

That first tour in Iraq was the better of the two that I've had. While I served in an E-7 position (two pay grades above my current grade of E-5) during my second tour, it was during my first tour that I really felt like I learned and grew as both a man and a Soldier. My first tour taught me that I could push myself even further and endure even more than I knew to be possible. My second tour was boring and didn't challenge me--at least not in the ways I wanted to be challenged. My first tour was filled with manning a bank of radios in the TOC and in going out on missions as the RTO for a platoon. I actually did my job and I loved it. I never made it off the FOB one single time during my second tour and I mostly messed with automations equipment. I didn't get to play with radios very much. I'm a radio guy and not an automations guy.

Anyway, I suppose I should write a series on experiences during my combat tours, but I'll save that for another time. What I do know is that the coin pictured above serves as a reminder of a lot of good times I had with some great men. So, to the men of F/51, I want you all to know that despite all the hard times and stupid things I said, it was an honor to serve with you all. I will never forget any of you and I wish all of you God-speed in all you do. And, here's one I'll bet you Elite Bastards thought you'd never see/hear me say: RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!