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    2xvetran

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    Everything posted by 2xvetran

    1. For the record, I know we have a library section, but I wanted to put this here first. I thought it might catch the eye of the Mid East/Iraq collectors a bit quicker. :D Scott.
    2. Today I received a fantastic self published copy of Bob Misslings new book, Iraqi Militaria Identification Guide with Translations. Bob has been studying and collecting Iraqi Militaria since 2000 and decided to put his knowledge to paper in this wonderful full color 155 page book. Previously, the only guide was another self published book by the late Marty Vaughan. Bob has set a new standard by using full color individual photos and accurate Arabic to English translations to identify many pieces of Iraqi Militaria. The book is nicely bound and will certainly pave the way for this area of collecting to grow. Sections include badges, patches, medals, uniforms, berets, and many other items used by the Iraqi Military. It has items from the Kingdom era through the present day. I would highly recommend anyone interested in this book to contact Bob by PM (bmsm) as there are limited quantities. Below are a few photo's of this wonderful publication, used with Bob's permission of course. Thanks for sharing your book and knowledge with me Bob. Scott.
    3. No Rick, the ones who quit don't have skin thick enough for debating, much less duellling Scott.
    4. Very nice display Bob. I have always wanted to see more info and items from the Korean War, it seems to be forgotten in more ways than one... Scott.
    5. The reverse, and a special thanks to my wife for the better quality pictures on these coins. Scott.
    6. This one is a bit different than the others, it is for a battalion level unit. As you can see it is numbered by the maker and the records of these numbers are kept at the battalion headquarters. So, this coin and number match to my name and rank and so on... How long the records are kept is not known to me and this is just one commanders way of presenting coins. I thought this quite fancy as it is just a Corps Support Battalion and the Commander was a Lt. Colonel, as seen on the reverse. It does however make this coin more researchable theoretically, and it would probably be quite easy to track down the name of the officer who awarded it. The last thing I would mention here is that individual commanders have great discretion when ordering coins. These coins represent the commander and not the unit. When that commander leaves for another unit, the coin will almost certainly change with hte new commander. So there are literally thousands of designs available but here are a few ways to tell awarded or issued coins from commemorative or souvenir coins. Thanks, Scott.
    7. The reverse of the Adjutant Generals coin. Scott.
    8. Here is another coin that is identifiable to a unit commander. I received this from the Assistant Adjutant General of the Michigan National Guard for services in Iraq. Again, the flag of a Brigadier General can be seen along with the individual SSI of the Army units in the Michigan National Guard. As the coin reads, this one is for excellence, so it can be set aside from a commemorative or unit identification piece. Scott.
    9. Here is a coin that came from a specific commander. As stated on the front, "Presented by the Deputy Commander" also visible is the "Three Star" flag showing the Deputy Commanders rank. This coin was presented to me by the Deputy Commander of Central Command who was LTG John Abizaid in 2003. I received this one for missions performed in Iraq while serving with SOCCENT, whose emblem is on the front of the coin. Special Operations Command Central= SOCCENT, along with the other branch emblems involved in Central Command. Scott.
    10. Here is the reverse of the Governors coin. Scott.
    11. In the next few posts I will try to point out some differences in U.S. coins that are not commemoratives. I will stary with this one, from the Governor of Michigan. This was presented to me by the Governor for my volunteer service in Iraq. Our Governor had a couple of different styles of coins, by the reverse you will see that this one was designed specifically to be given to members of the Michigan National Guard. Scott.
    12. As promised, my Canadian Military Police Coin. It bears a striking resemblence to Larry's Artillery coin, it makes me wonder if perhaps these are governed by regulation in the Canadian Forces. I received it from the RSM for recognition of services performed to the regiment while in Kingston Ontario with members of my own MP Company. Scott.
    13. Very nice looking assortment of international coins. One thing I noticed that may be helpful in some way, when discussing this topic is that many of these coins are representative of a large agency. So, they could most probably be had by anyone within the agency with little or no effort (perhaps even just bought). The general idea behind U.S. Military coins is that they are a sort of on the spot recognition or award for a job well done. The coin itself could be linked to a commander or senior non commissioned officer and not to just the 101st Airborne for example. Any soldier desiring a 101st Airborne coin can most certainly buy one, but one cannot just go out and purchase the 101st Airbornes Division Commanders coin very easily (although it wouldn't be impossible in this day and age). Scott.
    14. Great picture of many different styles of Iraqi uniforms! You really come up with some great reference pictures, thanks for sharing. Scott.
    15. O.K. Les, I will try to answer a lot of questions with one post. Regarding the officialness of coins and how to tell. In many cases but certainly not all, coins will be numbered to the recipient (the bottom coin on the right of my post with many coins) I believe the unit holds the roster of whom has received a coin. As far as e-bay is concerned, yes there are many commemoratives, but most soldiers don't care about these. We value those presented to us by Command Sergeant Majors or Colonels and Generals. As for the FBI coin, I received it from the Baghdad Station Chief as a form of recognition for services rendered to his teams in OIF 1. I was part of an official ceremony where I received the coin, a patch and some other items, much like a change of station ceremony or a retirement. Basically, they were honoring me and a few others for the assistance we provided them during missions. While certainly not a medal, I doubt you will find this coin anywhere else and I value it quite highly. Many times factors such as cross service missions or missions involving civilian agencies prevent or seriously impede the recognition of good deeds. So, coins can often fill the void and ensure that the soldier is recognized while awaiting the possibility of a higher form of recognition. In regards to Military Police vs Civilian Police, this is tricky. As an M.P. I had jurisdiction over military personnel in civilian environments. I patrolled the local towns where bases were located and worked closely with civilian authorities. If there was an incident involving soldiers and civilians, I would be tasked to resolve that situation on both ends and detain the civilians if necessary. So I would maintain that we are police officers as well. Perhaps it is different in the U.K. but in the U.S. we work with many civilian agencies, locally, state and federally. I think Mervyn really has the right idea with this thread as the coins are interesting and there are many types to be seen. I posted some of my non police coins so Mervyn could see the styles and types available. I would also mention that one of the coins I posted is from my State Governor, it is given to military, legislative, police, fire, and others who the Governor chooses to recognize. So, could it be police, civil, military??? I guess Nick moving the topic is best for all. Hope this answers some of the questions. Scott.
    16. The great founder of the Scouting movement and the World Chief Scouter as well. Scott. Got a double post somehow, I think my computer hiccupped Scott.
    17. Great piece of info Lorenzo, thanks for posting it! Scott.
    18. Leaving for the Air Force Museum in Dayton Ohio. I will post pics when I return!

    19. "Can I just ask that if this is going to be a thread in the Police section, can we keep it to just Police/Sheriff related coins and put the military ones in the appropriate section." The problem with this is that many of us hold dual roles. I posted my FBI coin which is clearly police related and not military, yet I received it as a soldier in Iraq... I would also have to question where Military Police would fall in? So, while perhaps keeping this thread to police would be appropriate, maybe we could put coins and commemoratives in a thread all their own? Thanks, Scott.
    20. You must have one very large living room Glad to hear it is still standing. Scott.
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