The United States Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the U.S. military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission (with jurisdiction in both domestic and international waters) and a federal regulatory agency mission as part of its mission set.

It is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the country’s seven uniformed services.

See Also: U.S. Coast Guard Salary By Ranking

U.S. Coast Guard Ranks – Enlisted and Officer, from Lowest to Highest

An enlisted member enters the Coast Guard as a Seaman Recruit. After completing basic training, the enlisted recuits advances to Seaman. The next two notable advancements are the advancement to a Petty Officer and then to a Chief Petty Officer.

Recommended: All United States Armed Forces Branches, Ranks, Symbols, Abbreviations And Salaries

Recommended: All U.S. Army Ranks And Symbols
U.S. Navy Ranks And Symbols
U.S. Marine Corps Ranks And Symbols
U.S. Air Force Ranks And Symbols
Requirements For Joining The U.S. Military

The table below lists all the standard ranks in the U.S. Coast Guard and their respective pay grades, insignias, abbreviations, and classifications.

Pay Grade	Insignia	Rank	Abbreviation	Classification
E-1	No Insignia	Seaman Recruit	SR	Seaman
E-2		Seaman Apprentice	SA	Seaman
E-3		Seaman	SN	Seaman
E-4		Petty Officer Third Class	PO3	Petty Officer
E-5		Petty Officer Second Class	PO2	Petty Officer
E-6		Petty Officer First Class	PO1	Petty Officer
E-7		Chief Petty Officer	CPO	Chief Petty Officer
E-8		Senior Chief Petty Officer	SCPO	Chief Petty Officer
E-9		Master Chief Petty Officer	MCPO	Chief Petty Officer
E-9		Command Master Chief Petty Officer	CMC	Chief Petty Officer
E-9		Master Chief Petty Officer Of The Coast Guard	MCPOC	Chief Petty Officer (Special)
W-2		Chief Warrant Officer 2	CWO-2	Chief Warrant Officer
W-3		Chief Warrant Officer 3	CWO-3	Chief Warrant Officer
W-4		Chief Warrant Officer 4	CWO-4	Chief Warrant Officer
O-1		Ensign	ENS	Junior Officer
O-2		Lieutenant Junior Grade	LTJG	Junior Officer
O-3		Lieutenant	LT	Junior Officer
O-4		Lieutenant Commander	LCDR	Junior Officer
O-5		Commander	CDR	Senior Officer
O-6		Captain	CAPT	Senior Officer
O-7		Rear Admiral Lower Half	DRML	Flag Officer
O-8		Rear Admiral	RADM	Flag Officer
O-9		Vice Admiral	VADM	Flag Officer
O-10		Admiral	ADM	Flag Officer