U.S. Coast Guard cutter sailing through rough Atlantic seas at golden hour

U.S. Coast Guard Ranks

23 grades — from Seaman Recruit to Admiral.

Enlisted

The backbone of every branch — non-commissioned service members and the NCO leaders who train and lead them.

E-1SR

Seaman Recruit

No insignia

E-2SA

Seaman Apprentice

Two diagonal stripes

E-3SN

Seaman

Three diagonal stripes

E-4PO3

Petty Officer Third Class

Eagle, one chevron

E-5PO2

Petty Officer Second Class

Eagle, two chevrons

E-6PO1

Petty Officer First Class

Eagle, three chevrons

E-7CPO

Chief Petty Officer

Gold eagle, anchor

E-8SCPO

Senior Chief Petty Officer

Gold eagle, anchor, one star

E-9MCPO

Master Chief Petty Officer

Gold eagle, anchor, two stars

E-9SMCPOCG

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard

Gold eagle, anchor, three stars

Warrant Officer

Technical specialists and aviators who outrank enlisted NCOs but serve in specialized roles outside the standard commissioned officer corps.

W-2CWO2

Chief Warrant Officer 2

Gold bar

W-3CWO3

Chief Warrant Officer 3

Gold bar, one break

W-4CWO4

Chief Warrant Officer 4

Gold bar, two breaks

Officer

Commissioned leaders responsible for command, strategy, policy, and the welfare of the service members under their authority.

O-1ENS

Ensign

One gold stripe

O-2LTJG

Lieutenant Junior Grade

One gold stripe, one silver stripe

O-3LT

Lieutenant

Two gold stripes

O-4LCDR

Lieutenant Commander

Two gold stripes, one silver stripe

O-5CDR

Commander

Three gold stripes

O-6CAPT

Captain

Four gold stripes

O-7RDML

Rear Admiral Lower Half

One star

O-8RADM

Rear Admiral Upper Half

Two stars

O-9VADM

Vice Admiral

Three stars

O-10ADM

Admiral

Four stars

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