Navy Weapon Station Commanding Officer Smith Challenge Coin
- Renae
- Apr 3
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 4
At Challenge Design, every project is a chance to honor the people, places, and missions that define our nation’s strength and history. When we landed a project creating a challenge coin for The commanding officer at Naval Weapons Station Earle, we wanted design something truly special. This station has a pivotal role in U.S. Naval operations and its vibrant history, and Navy Captain Kent Smith deserved a coin that showcased resilience, strategic importance, and the unwavering dedication. From concept to completion, this project became a journey of storytelling through design.
The legacy of Captain Kent Smith’s leadership is deeply intertwined with the strategic significance of Naval Weapons Station Earle, a base whose history and mission became the key component of our design. Navy Weapons Station (NWS) Earle is an impressive facility with a critical role in supporting the U.S. Navy’s Atlantic Fleet. NWS Earle is named after Rear Admiral Ralph Earle, who was the Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance during World War I. The base Earle is nestled in Colts Neck, New Jersey and provides storage, logistics, and loading support, primarily for munitions and weapons systems. The station’s large and secure pier complex in the Sandy Hook Bay makes it unique, allowing ships to load and unload munitions while docked far from populated areas. When designing a meaningful challenge coin, incorporating elements that reflect the base’s unique location ensures the coin captures the character and environment that shape its operations. Colts Neck’s blend of strategic importance and suburban charm provides an inspiring backdrop for such designs.
Every great institution has its emblem, and for NWS Earle, its logo encapsulates the story of its strategic importance and the pride it fosters among those who serve.
Including the Navy Weapons Station Earle logo on a challenge coin instantly elevates the design by embedding a piece of its identity into the coin. It doesn’t just signify affiliation—it honors the station's proud history and unique role in national defense. Logos add depth, visually capturing the mission and legacy of Earle’s work, and instilling a strong sense of pride and belonging for those who carry it.
Leadership Role: Command Ashore Project Manager
While the logo captures the spirit of NWS Earle, the dedicated individuals behind its operations are the true driving force. One pivotal role that exemplifies this leadership is the Command Ashore Project Manager, whose responsibilities ensure the station’s operational success. The Command Ashore Project Manager holds a crucial role in overseeing shore-based operations, with responsibilities that often include managing complex logistics, maintaining operational readiness, and ensuring the security of naval facilities. The position demands a blend of strategic vision and practical know-how, as project managers lead diverse teams and coordinate resources to keep Navy facilities functioning at their best. In this position, excellence in leadership is not just expected—it’s essential to mission success.
Insignia of the Command Ashore Project Manager
Leadership in the naval world requires both vision and strength, and the insignia of the Command Ashore Project Manager visually echoes this profound responsibility.
The insignia for a Command Ashore Project Manager is a distinguished gold metal, three-pronged trident device centered within a laurel wreath. This iconic symbol is a powerful representation of authority, expertise, and commitment. The trident, associated with naval strength, paired with the laurel wreath, signifies both achievement and command, reminding everyone of the strength and discipline required to serve in this capacity. Incorporating a position’s insignia on a challenge coin adds a powerful layer of identity and purpose. An insignia reinforces the authority and distinction of the role, while making the coin truly personalized.
The trident and laurel wreath of the Command Ashore insignia speak to leadership and legacy—qualities personified by Captain Kent 'Brewski' Smith as he commands Navy Weapons Station Earle. Captain Kent "Brewski" Smith, originally from Council Bluffs, Iowa, has had a distinguished career in the U.S. Navy since his commissioning in 1998. With a Bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Iowa, he earned his wings as a Naval Flight Officer in 2000 and quickly distinguished himself as a Viking Tactics Instructor with VS-32, earning the title of Sea Control Wing Atlantic NFO of the Year in 2003. His career took him around the globe with deployments on the USS Theodore Roosevelt, USS Enterprise, and numerous international assignments with the P-3C Orion. A graduate of the U.S. Naval War College with a Master’s in national security and strategic studies, Captain Smith also served as a U.S. representative at the Naval Staff College, where he fostered global maritime partnerships. Later roles included high-priority missions with VPU-2, strategic assignments with U.S. Strategic Command, and as Commanding Officer of the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Weapons School. His leadership continued aboard the USS Harry S. Truman and with the Joint Staff J7. His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Medal. In April 2023, Captain Smith assumed command of Naval Weapons Station Earle, where his extensive expertise continues to serve national defense interests.
Challenge Coin for Navy Captain Kent "Brewski" Smith
Creating a challenge coin for Captain Kent "Brewski" Smith was a distinguished project that brought our team a unique opportunity to celebrate the station's proud legacy. As we worked on the design, we aimed to create a coin that not only represents the essential role of NWS Earle in supporting U.S. Naval readiness but also reflects the spirit and dedication of those stationed there. The round, dual-plated gold and silver coin is packed with meaning, celebrating NWS Earle’s operational strength and the sense of camaraderie shared by those who serve.
The front side of the coin highlights the station's logo, framed in a stunning blue border with gold stars around its perimeter. This emblematic outer layer surrounds the central logo, which depicts a vivid light blue ocean embraced by a surrounding green landscape, with raised silver icons—a Navy ship, a submarine, and an airplane—symbolizing the multi-faceted defense capabilities of NWS Earle. These elements come together around the blue and white crest, providing a visual narrative of the station’s role in maintaining maritime superiority. The gold text reading Naval Weapons Station Earle across the top and Colts Neck, New Jersey below is a nod to the station’s proud roots and its strategic location.
On the reverse, a deep navy blue border contains the gold text that reads Presented by the Commanding Officer, with decorative gold stars marking the design with a formal touch. The inner circle is a matte navy blue, featuring the prestigious U.S. Navy Command Ashore insignia: a striking gold trident within a laurel wreath. This powerful symbol encapsulates the authority and dedication of NWS Earle’s leadership, with the inscription Captain Kent 'Brewski' Smith in a golden inner ring as a tribute to the current Commanding Officer’s commitment to the mission.
This challenge coin stands as a tangible keepsake that of the enduring legacy of Navy Weapons Station Earle and the extraordinary leadership of Captain Kent "Brewski" Smith. Designed with the highest level of detail and respect, it serves as a tribute to the station's invaluable contributions to national security and as a proud token for all who uphold its mission. At Challenge Design, we’re proud to have played a role in celebrating this remarkable facility and the individuals who uphold its mission. As this coin finds its place in the hands of those connected to Captain Smith, we hope it serves as a lasting reminder of their dedication, resilience, and the critical role they play in safeguarding our nation.
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