ITS / ETR / RM Challenge Coin

This Navy rating has gone through a few name changes over the years. What started out as 'Radioman', or 'RM', on board submarines and surface ships has morphed into 'ETR' or Electronics Technician - Radio' to its current form, 'ITS, or 'Information Systems Technician - Submarines'.  The place these techs work in is known as the Radio Room. Unlike most areas on a US Navy vessel, the communication people have a private workspace, and if you don't know the combination to the door, you must ring a bell to request entry. These individuals spend many hours in a tiny space, where they are surrounded by electronic equipment. This challenge coin represents the many hours of dedication to their self-isolation from the rest of their crew in a United States Navy vessel. 

These highly trained specialists are celebrated with our SubMerch coin. Our coin front is a Radio room door, and is complete with a lock, rating symbols of RM's, IT's & ET's, plus a 'doorbell' to request entry for all the non-communication people.  The rear of our coin has enlisted dolphins, along with the USN symbol, 'Information Systems', 'RM/ETR/ITS', 'Silent Service' and 'Mintonator' (my boat nickname). The inside of the door shows how the Radio 'gremlins in the room' might damage the equipment while simultaneously bringing it to life, if they were left alone. The Radio door opens with hinges. and is held in place with a magnet. 'I hear you knocking, but you can't come in" is emblazoned on the door inside, as communications people are known to not let people in, just because they don't feel like it. They will deny it of course, but it really happens, as it has happened to me more than once.

Our coin is made of zinc and quality enamels for a high gloss finish.