Goats in Space? Inside Our Boldest Navy Challenge Coin Yet

Admin
Jun 24
7 min read

Navy Chief Space Goat NavWar Challenge Coin

There are challenge coins—and then there are challenge coins that push the boundaries of design, history, and innovation. When we set out to create the NAVWAR Space coin, we knew it had to be more than just a token. It had to tell a story—a story of the U.S. Navy’s evolution from dominating the seas to securing the final frontier. NAVWAR Space is at the cutting edge of modern warfare, ensuring that naval operations remain secure in cyberspace and beyond Earth’s atmosphere.

But we couldn’t stop at just showcasing technology. We had to honor the legacy that makes the Navy great—the deep-rooted traditions, the warriors behind the mission, and the symbols that carry generations of meaning. We created a tribute to the sailors, cyber warriors, and leaders who stand watch over America’s digital and orbital domains.

The Evolution of NAVWAR

NAVWAR Space is where cutting-edge technology meets military precision, ensuring that the U.S. Navy stays ahead in an increasingly digital battlespace. As part of the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR), this division focuses on cybersecurity, satellite communications, and space-based defense strategies that keep operations secure and connected. Space isn’t just for astronauts—it’s a critical domain for national security, and NAVWAR is at the forefront of safeguarding the digital and orbital arenas where modern conflicts unfold.

Designing a challenge coin for NAVWAR Space means capturing the fusion of naval tradition with high-tech innovation, incorporating elements like satellite imagery, network pathways, and even celestial navigation to honor those who protect military communications beyond Earth’s surface. Bridging the worlds of space warfare and centuries-old naval traditions might seem like an unexpected challenge, but in many ways, they are two sides of the same coin—both rooted in adaptability, resilience, and strategic dominance. Just as NAVWAR Space pushes the boundaries of modern defense, the long-standing traditions of the Navy serve as a foundation for its evolution.

Goats in the Navy

One such tradition, surprisingly, involves an unlikely figure: the goat. While NAVWAR represents the Navy’s future in cyber and space warfare, the goat has long been a symbol of its past and present—embodying the grit, wisdom, and camaraderie of those who serve at sea. Goats in the Navy? Yes, and not just in a mascot sense! While the U.S. Naval Academy has long had Bill the Goat as its official symbol, the connection between goats and the Navy runs deeper. In the early days of sailing, goats were brought aboard ships as a source of fresh milk and meat, playing a practical role in naval life. Over time, the term "Goat" became an informal title for seasoned, battle-hardened sailors—the ones who had been through it all and earned their stripes. In modern times, the Chief Petty Officer (CPO) community has embraced the goat as a symbol of wisdom, resilience, and leadership. This deep-rooted naval tradition presents an exciting opportunity for challenge coin design, where incorporating a goat motif can pay homage to the long-standing values of experience and mentorship within the Navy. From the symbols of naval wisdom to the badges of specialized expertise, the Navy’s traditions are woven together by a deep respect for service, leadership, and skill. Just as the goat has become a cherished emblem among Chief Petty Officers, another phrase carries equal weight in the CPO community: "Selected, Tested, Accepted – 1893."

See our other coins Featuring Navy Goats:

Selected, Tested, Accepted – 1893

This motto defines the journey of every Chief Petty Officer, representing the trials and triumphs that shape naval leadership. But beyond leadership, the Navy is also built on technical mastery across numerous fields—each represented by a distinct badge. From cyber warfare to intelligence, these badges tell the story of the sailors who keep the fleet mission-ready, both in the digital battlespace and on the high seas.

The phrase "Selected, Tested, Accepted – 1893" is sacred among Chief Petty Officers (CPOs), marking the year the rank was officially established. This motto isn’t just a tagline—it’s a philosophy.

Selection means being chosen based on merit and leadership potential.

Testing refers to the rigorous trials, both mental and physical, that ensure only the best make it through.

Acceptance represents the final stage, where a sailor truly becomes a Chief, embodying the highest standards of responsibility and mentorship in the Navy.

Any challenge coin designed for CPOs should highlight these words prominently, perhaps integrating them into a banner or a raised-relief engraving to honor the journey from sailor to Chief. Just as the journey to becoming a Chief Petty Officer is marked by dedication and resilience, the Navy's operational strength is upheld by specialists who master critical skills across various fields. These skills are recognized through military badges, each representing a sailor’s expertise and contribution to mission success.

Military Badges

From cyber warfare to intelligence analysis, these insignia tell the story of the Navy’s evolving capabilities in the modern era. But beyond recognizing achievement, these symbols also serve as inspiration for challenge coin designs.

Military badges aren’t just insignia—they’re representations of skill, specialization, and dedication. Each one tells a story:

Cyber Warfare Technician (CWT): The Navy’s cyber warriors, defending against digital threats and ensuring secure communications across classified and unclassified networks.
Cryptologic Technician (CT): Masters of codebreaking, signal intelligence, and electronic warfare, playing a crucial role in decoding enemy transmissions.
Intelligence Specialist (IS): The eyes and ears of naval operations, analyzing classified information to provide tactical and strategic insights.
Personnel Specialist (PS): The administrative backbone, handling pay, benefits, and personnel records to ensure smooth operations for every sailor.
Yeoman (YN): The legal and administrative experts, specializing in documentation, correspondence, and classified materials management.
Information Systems Technician (IT): Keeping naval communications systems up and running, maintaining networks, servers, and cybersecurity protocols.

By understanding the deeper meaning behind each badge, phrase, and tradition, we can craft coins that do more than commemorate service—they embody it. Whether it’s integrating high-tech elements for NAVWAR Space or highlighting the legacy of the CPO community, every detail in a challenge coin should reflect the honor and purpose behind the role it represents.

Impact on Design Project Goals

Understanding the heritage and significance behind these elements informs every design choice. Whether it’s selecting a digital-inspired layout for CWT, incorporating an encrypted code pattern for CT, or ensuring "Selected, Tested, Accepted – 1893" is boldly displayed on a CPO coin, these details make a challenge coin truly meaningful. The NAVWAR Space coin might feature a satellite orbiting the Earth, while a CPO coin could highlight a proudly raised goat emblem. Every decision—from color to texture to iconography—must align with the legacy and purpose of the coin, ensuring it is not just a collectible but a symbol of honor and tradition.

NAVWAR Navy Space Goat Challenge Coin

Creating a NAVWAR Space Goat Challenge Coin was an exciting and truly unique experience for our team. The combination of naval tradition, space exploration, and the time-honored symbol of the Chief Petty Officer (CPO) community made for an unforgettable design. We knew from the start that this coin had to stand out—not just in shape, but in intricate detail and symbolism. The final result? A custom-shaped antique silver coin featuring one of the most distinctive designs we’ve ever worked on.

The front of the coin proudly showcases a highly detailed astronaut goat, decked out in a meticulously designed spacesuit with American flags, Navy symbols, and a traditional Navy uniform cap. Every element of the suit was carefully chosen to honor the Navy’s contributions to space operations. The United States of America NAVWAR Space Field Activity symbol sits prominently on the suit, reinforcing the mission-focused theme. The goat itself is a striking contrast—a dark goat with a white face, radiating both wisdom and determination. Behind him, a raised globe from the NAVWAR Space logo emerges, adding dimension and depth to the design, while just behind that, peeking through, is the U.S. Navy emblem with the legendary words "Selected, Tested, Accepted – 1893" in raised gold—a subtle but powerful nod to the resilience and excellence of Navy Chiefs.

The reverse side brings even more naval heritage and modern warfare expertise into play. The deck plate texture serves as a strong foundation, a detail that speaks to the heart of Navy culture—the place where work gets done. Over this surface, six raised gold insignia represent the vital roles within NAVWAR Space: Cyber Warfare Technician (CWT), Cryptologic Technician (CT), Intelligence Specialist (IS), Personnel Specialist (PS), Yeoman (YN), and Information Systems Technician (IT). These insignia honor the skilled professionals who ensure naval superiority in digital and strategic warfare. To the upper right, a black circular element features the phrase "Ask the Chief" in raised silver lettering—another nod to the wisdom and guidance of Navy Chiefs.

The final detail tying everything together is a large circle with U.S. Navy anchors—three distinct Chief anchors—set against an electrifying Ace Cyber lime geometric background. This bold design choice highlights the Navy’s commitment to leadership, technology, and tradition. The outer white lettering states "NAVWAR Space Field Activity", reinforcing the mission-driven purpose behind this extraordinary coin. From front to back, every element was intentionally crafted to celebrate the Navy’s past, present, and future in space and cyber warfare. This project not only tested our creative boundaries but also solidified our passion for challenge coin design—because when tradition meets innovation, something truly special is created.

The NAVWAR Space challenge coin is more than just metal—it’s a story forged in tradition and innovation. From the determined gaze of our astronaut goat to the intricate insignia honoring NAVWAR’s most vital specialists, every detail was crafted to reflect the Navy’s unwavering commitment to excellence.

At Challenge Design, we believe that every challenge coin should be a masterpiece—crafted with precision, designed with meaning, and built to stand the test of time. This project exemplifies why we do what we do: creating bespoke works of art that honor service, heritage, and the relentless pursuit of progress.

As we send this extraordinary coin into the hands of those who serve, we know it carries more than just a design—it carries a legacy. Because in the Navy, and in challenge coin craftsmanship, only the best are Selected, Tested, Accepted.