Coast Guard ranks can be confusing. The Coast Guard’s blue uniforms look like the Air Force’s, its whites look like the Navy’s, and in reality, the Coast Guard has ranks all its own.
Aside from color, its uniforms are split into three categories, just like every other military branch. In addition to enlisted and officer Guardsmen, the Coast Guard has warrant officers. Of course, it goes without saying that ranks determine your duties, whether you’re an enlisted, warrant, or officer guardsmen. It also goes without saying that the United States Coast Guard should get more love.
Lots of the main branch DoD service members like to hate on the USCG, but the truth is that without it, there’s no way we could actively defend our thousands and thousands of miles of shorelines. Case in point: the Coast Guard is actually America’s oldest maritime defender. So if you’re wondering about Coast Guard ranks, this post is for you.
Enlisted guardsmen ranks
Enlisted guardsmen ranks are determined by a Guardsman’s rating badge. Ranks are broken down into three levels.
Apprenticeships
E1 Seaman Recruit (SR) – Seaman recruits are apprentices in training. An SR’s primary job is to acquire the skills necessary to succeed in the USCG and to comprehend the job functions of their rating. Ratings include Seaman, Fireman, or Airman.
E2 Seaman Apprentice (SA) – After basic training, this rank begins A-Courses in a specific rating. Duty assignments will depend on your rating.
E3 Seaman (SN) – As a Seaman, you’ll begin gaining the relevant experience you need to do your job well. The goal here is to get your rating by completing A School.
Petty Officers
E4 Petty Officer Third Class (PO3) – This is the most junior non-commissioned officer Coast Guard rank. As a PO3, a Guardsman acts as both a leader and a tech expert in your rating.
E5 Petty Officer Second Class (PO2) – As a PO2, your job is to assume higher levels of accountability and responsibility. This rank is the middle of the road for petty officers so expect an increase in both authority and job requirements.
E6 Petty Officer First Class (PO1) – This is the last petty officer rank, so expect a heavier workload, more responsibility, and increased visibility. You’ll need to take charge of both resources and Guardsmen to shine.
Chief Petty Officers
E7 Chief Petty Officer (CPO) – This Coast Guard rank marks you as a senior NCO. You’ll need specialized testing and a recommendation from your commander to earn this rank.
E8 Senior Chief Petty Officer (SCPO) – As a Senior Chief Petty Officer, you’ll be responsible for training junior Guardsmen. You’ll also be expected to be a technical expert in your rating and have extensive knowledge about the Coast Guard.
E9 Master Chief Petty Officer (MCPO) – This is the highest enlisted rank. To be a master chief, you’ll need excellent performance evaluations and high exam scores. Less than 1% of the Coast Guard force are master chief petty officers.
Warrant Officer Ranks
W02 Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CWO2) – As a CWO2, you help provide communication support between the chain of command and the officers and enlisted Guardsmen.
WO3 Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CWO3) – This Coast Guard rank means you’re the leading technical expert in your field.
WO4 Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CWO4) – CWO4s have more responsibility than CWO3s. You’re expected to be a leader of both enlisted and junior warrant officers, so expect a heavy workload. You’ll also act as the communication bridge between your vessel’s enlisted and officer Guardsmen.
Coast Guard Officer Ranks
Officers are either in the officer or admiral tier. Like other branches, officers hold their commission indefinitely.
Junior Officers
O1 Ensign (Ens) – This Coast Guard rank is the lowest of all officer ranks. Ensigns are commissioned after completing a four-year college degree. This rank is equivalent to second lieutenant in other branches.
O2 Lieutenant Junior Grade (LtJG) – Lieutenant junior grade officers serve as billeted division officers. They’re usually promoted after 18 months in service as an ensign.
O3 Lieutenant (Lt) – Lieutenants are the same rank as captains in other branches. A lieutenant is responsible for sailors and junior officers in their command.
Mid-Grade Officers
O4 Lieutenant Commander (LCdr) – As a lieutenant commander, this Coast Guard rank is considered mid-level. They work in executive functions at the command level.
O5 Commander (Crd) – When a service member earns this rank, they’re commanding ships or squadrons of aircraft. This Coast Guard rank might also be part of a senior staff contingent on a vessel.
O6 Captain (Capt) – Equivalent to Colonels in other branches, a captain is given a lot of breathing room across a wide breadth of responsibility.
Admirals
O7 Rear Admiral Lower Half (RDml) – This is the lowest admiral Coast Guard rank. As a rear admiral lower half, a service member is in charge of a small flotilla of ships.
O8 Rear Admiral (RAdm) – Rear admirals command fleets of ships and air wings in peacetime. They receive their own guidon, which they fly over the ship or base where they serve.
O9 Vice Admiral (VAdm) – Like other branches, this Coast Guard rank is severely limited during wartime. In fact, only 25% of all flag officers can be three-stars. This is a temporary rank on the way to becoming an admiral.
O10 Admiral (Adm) – This is the highest Coast Guard rank. Admirals report directly to the president.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are the Navy and Coast Guard ranks the same?
The ranks are similar but not the same. In fact, here are 15 important, surprising differences between the branches.
How long does it take to make E-5 in the Coast Guard?
To be an E5 in the Coast Guard, you should expect to be in service for at least 12 years.
What is the highest rank in the Coast Guard?
The highest officer rank is an admiral, and the highest enlisted rank is a master chief petty officer.
How do you rank up in the Coast Guard?
Ranking up in the Coast Guard includes passing specialty testing in your particular rating. Most promotions are highly competitive, so the better you perform in your rating, the more likely you will succeed.
What rank will I be in the Coast Guard with a bachelor’s degree?
You’ll enter the Coast Guard as an ensign with a bachelor’s degree.
