From the Archives: RMO

Military coins (sometimes referred to as Round Metal Objects to avoid buying a round) are an interesting part of military culture. Generally, a military unit adopts a design and makes the coins available for sale to unit members to carry them in their wallets to give the impression of a deluxe condom bulge in the leather. In any drinking establishment with other unit members present, a challenge can be wagered by tapping one's RMO on the table. Any who fail to produce their coin and tap in answer buy a round. If all members present tap in answer, the challenger buys a round. I suspect the RMO pictured above is an informal unit coin, rather than one approved by the brass.

Division coins are minted by division chiefs to distribute as "attaboys" to outstanding performers, and personal coins by leading officers and senior NCOs who present them to visiting VIPs and retiring service members. There are also event coins to commemorate an annual or one-time event such as a major awards ceremony.

A lot of these coins are manufactured in Korea, using (I suspect) recycled brass from training ammunition. Coins for units that pass through Saudi Arabia have been known to get gold plating.

Military members are "highly encouraged" to carry the coin of their present unit. We retirees are under no such onus, but I still carry one today, only I rotate my collection through the wallet periodically. Currently, it's one from the Commandant of the Defense Language Institute, Presidio of Monterey CA, for my participation in a Language Olympics. I no longer spend much time in public drinking establishments, but I figure that since it gets past a TSA inspection, I can use it as a blunt ninja throwing star if my plane ever gets hijacked.