This year, we developed a service coin - the JOAG Medallion - that was introduced at the Commissioned Officers Association annual meeting in Denver. We sold out of the coins in the first few days, but our new shipment has finally arrived, and the coins are now available! JOAG Medallions are $10.00 each, plus $2.00 added to the total for shipping.
If you'd like to order coins, please print and complete the coin order form below. Mail the completed form and check/money order to LCDR Claudine Samanic at the address printed on the form. 

Much thought and effort went into the coin's development, and we'd like to take a moment to explain the significance behind the JOAG Medallion.

The JOAG Medallion

The JOAG Medallion was developed by the following members of the JOAG Professional Development Committee: LCDR Cecile Town, LT LaTonya Jiggetts, LT Carolyn Oyster, LT Aimee Treffiletti, LTJG Jessica Schwarz.
The JOAG medallion’s colors and symbols were chosen because of their distinctive heraldic meanings as they relate to Junior Officers, Commissioned Officers, and the Commissioned Corps.

The medallion’s base color is gold, inferring the distinction of all JOAG members as officers in the Commissioned Corps. The use of gold also denotes generosity and elevation of the mind, an ideal for which Junior Officers strive. The outer ring contains the words Junior Officer Advisory Group followed by United States Public Health Service. These two phrases are joined by stars, denoting goodness and nobility. Blue was chosen for the outer ring, not only for readability but also to symbolize the historic ties of the Corps to merchant seamen. Blue was also chosen for its heraldic meaning of truth and loyalty. It is to be the personal concern of a member of JOAG to uphold the ties between officers for the accomplishment of our mission of “Protecting, promoting and advancing the health and safety of the Nation.” Further, the use of blue as a ring encircling the JOAG seal denotes fidelity.
 

The JOAG seal symbolizes the close relationship and sharing of ideals and resources between the Public Health Service, Commissioned Corps, and Department of Health and Human Services. It is through the marriage of these three entities that our mission is best accomplished. Black denotes constancy and is used for the three circles of the JOAG seal to represent the constant bond of these three allies in public health.
 

The reverse side of the medallion contains an excerpt from the JOAG Officer’s Code of Conduct, developed in 2002 by the PD Committee. These statements from the Code epitomize the ideals for which all officers should strive. The affirmation that I represent all officers, past, present and future, and they represent me is coupled with Together we are the Corps and is bolded to remind the bearer of an important principle: the value of the Junior Officer lies in the fact that, although we must learn from those who came before us, it is our responsibility to uphold the ideals and purpose of Junior Officers to better the Corps, for in truth, we borrow them from those who come after us.
 

Want more information about the tradition of Challenge Coins?  Click here.