U.S. Coast Guard Rank Insignia Identification Guide

This is an identification guide for the Enlisted rank/rating insignia used by the U.S. Coast Guard. The U.S. Coast Guard was formed in 1915 when the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service and the U.S. Lifesaving Service were combined. The U.S. Lifesaving Service did not have a formal enlisted rank structure. To the best of our knowledge, all the examples shown are original manufacture. If anyone has questions or suggestions, please contact [email protected].

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Petty Officer Patch 1871-1900

The enlisted insignia for the U.S. Revenus Service was primarily by rate. Initially, Petty Officers were appointed by the local commander. Symbols of rank were also up to the local commander. In 1871, regulations were published identifying three Petty Officer positions, Master At Arms, Coxswain, and Quartermaster. Official insignias of rank were also specificed. The regulations of 1891 expanded the Petty Officer positions to include Boatswain, Gunner, Carpenter, and Oiler. The regulations also differenated between senior Petty Officer rates with gold insignia and junior Petty Officer rates with white insignia. In 1900, regulations were published making the Master At Arms the only senior Petty Officer position and simplifying the rate structure. A U.S. Navy eagle was added above the rate insignia. The 1908 regulations specified U.S. Navy style enlisted insignia with chevrons, although smaller in size, and identified 8 ratings. The insignia identified positions rather than rank.


1871 Master At Arms	1871 Coxswain	1871 Quartermaster	1891 Master At Arms	1891 Boatswain
1891 Gunner	1891 Carpenter	1891 Quartermaster	1891 Coxswain	1891 Oiler
1900 Master At Arms	1900 Quartermaster	1900 Coxswain	1900 Oiler	1900 Bugler
1908 Master At Arms	1908 Assistant Master At Arms	1908 Wheelman Quartermaster	1908 Quartermaster	1908 Electrician
1908 Electrician First Class	1908 Ships Writer	1908 Signal Quartermaster	1908 First Oiler	1908 Second Oiler
1908 Coxswain	1908 Watertender

Petty Officer Insignia 1915-1920

In 1915, The U.S. Coast Guard was formed by combining the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service and the U.S. Lifesaving Service. Regulations were published for a system of enlisted chevrons using the rate symbol. Initially 14 rates were adopted.


Master At Arms	Assistant Master At Arms	Wheelman Quartermaster	Quartermaster	Number 1 Surfman
Electrician	Assistant Electrician	1st Class Electrician	Assistant 1st Class Electrician	Yeoman/Ships Writer
Assistant Yeoman/Ships Writer	Machinist	Oiler	Carpenter	Painter/Plumber
Signal Quartermaster	Coxswain	Blacksmith	Sailmaker	Watertender
Bayman

Petty Officer Insignia 1920-1941

In the 1920 regulations, the number of rates were reduced to 11, and the U.S. Navy rank structure was adopted. The ranks of Chief Petty Officer, 1st Class Petty Officer, 2nd Class Petty Officer, and 3rd Class Petty Officer were used within all rates. The enlisted chevrons were to be the same size as the Navy insignia but used a distinctive eagle.


Chief Petty Officer - Master At Arms	1st Class Petty Officer - Carpenter	2nd Class Petty Officer - Coxswain	3rd Class Petty Officer - Boatswain	2nd Class Petty Officer - Quartermaster
1st Class Petty Officer - Ships Writer	2nd Class Petty Officer - Wireless Operator	1st Class Petty Officer - Engineer Assistant	2nd Class Petty Officer - Electrician	2nd Class Petty Officer - Pharmacist
1st Class Petty Officer - Cook

Petty Officer Insignia 1941-1976

In the 1941 regulations, the Coast Guard adopted the U.S. Navy size rank insignia and eagle. The rating system was expanded to cover additional specialities. Diagonal stripes for Seaman, Seaman Apprentice, and Seaman Recruit were added in 1948. Senior Chief and Master Chief Petty Officer grades were added in 1958. To align with positions created by the Army, Navy, and Marines, the position of Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard was created in 1968. The positions of Command Senior Chief and Command Master Chief Petty Officer were adopted in 2015. They serve as the principal enlisted advisor to the Commanding Officer.


Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (est. 1968)	Master Chief Petty Officer (est. 1958)	Senior Chief Petty Officer (est. 1958)	Chief Petty Officer (Gold good conduct chevrons)	Chief Petty Officer
1st Class Petty Officer	2nd Class Petty Officer	3rd Class Petty Officer	Seaman	Fireman
Airman	Seaman Apprentice	Fireman Apprentice	Airman Apprentice	Seaman Recuit

Petty Officer Insignia 1976 to date

The 1976 regulations reorganized the rate structure. The insignia background color was changed from black/navy blue to medium blue. The positions of Command Senior Chief and Command Master Chief Petty Officer were adopted in 2015. They serve as the principal enlisted advisor to the Commanding Officer.


Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard	Master Chief Petty Officer	Command Master Chief Petty Officer	Master Chief Petty Officer	Senior Chief Petty Officer
Chief Petty Officer	Petty Officer 1st Class	Petty Officer 1st Class (Summer)	Petty Officer 2nd Class	Petty Officer 3rd Class
Seaman	Seaman with Rating	Airman	Fireman	Seaman Apprentice
Airman Apprentice	Fireman Apprentice	Seaman Recruit

Rating Symbols - 1917 to date

Rating Symbols identify the trade/specialty of the enlisted man. There are 68 symbols in 5 categories that have been used since 1917. The titles associated with the symbols have changed over time. The dates and titles of each symbol are listed in the description.

Aviation Ratings


Aviation Electricians Mate - 1956-1999	Avionics Electrical Technician - 2004-present Avionics Technician - 1999-2003 Aviation Electronics Technician - 1948-1998	Aviation Electronicsman - 1948-1965 Aviation Radioman - 1943-1948	Aviation Maintenance Technician - 1999-present Aviation Machinists Mate - 1921-1999	Aviation Metalsmith - 1940-1999
Aviation Carpenter's Mate - 1921-1940	Aviation Survival Technician - 1999-2004 Aviation Survivalman - 1968-1999	Parachute Rigger - 1942-1968	Aviation Ordnanceman - 1943-1968	Enlisted Aircraft Pilot - 1930-1979
Enlisted Airplane Pilot - 1930-1948	Aviation Rigger - 1922-1924

Deck Ratings


Boatswains Mate - 1920-present	Quartermaster - 1920-2003	Signalman - 1920-1948	Operations Specialist - 2003-present	Radarman - 1942-1948
Telecommunications Specialist - 1994-2003 Radarman - 1942-1994	Sonar Technician - 1970-1993 Radioman - 1921-1970	Gunners Mate - 1920-present	Fire Control Technician - 1955-2003 Fire Controlman - 1942-1955	Torpedomans Mate - 1943-1945

Engineer Ratings


Machinery Technician - 1974-present Engineman - 1947-1974	Machinists Mate - 1920-1974	Motor Machinists Mate - 1920-1948	Boilerman - 1920-1974	Watertender - 1920-1948
Electricians Mate - 1921-present	Information System Technician - 2003-present Telephone Technician - 1960-2003	Electronics Technician - 1948-2004 Electronics Technician Mate - 1945-1948 Radio Technician - 1942-1945	Damage Controlman - 1948-present	Carpenters Mate - 1920-1948
Shipfitter/Blacksmith/Boilermaker - 1920-1942

Administrative Ratings


Yeoman - 1920-present	Storekeeper - 1920-present	Ships Serviceman - 1942-1946	Health Services Technician - 1983-present Hospital Corpsman - 1948-1983	Dental Technician - 1949-1983
Pharmacists Mate - 1920-1948	Public Affairs Specialist - 1972-present	Journalist - 1948-1972	Photographers Mate - 1939-1972	Printer - 1944-1970
Bandmaster - 1924-present	Diver - 2015-present	Food Service Specialist - 1996-present Subsistance Specialist - 1973-1996	Commissaryman - 1948-1973 Commissary Steward - 1920-1948	Steward - 1948-1964 Ships Cook - 1920-1948
Steward - 1964-1973	Marine Science Technician - 1968-present	Aerographers Mate - 1942-1968	Intelligence Specialist - 2008-present	Maritime Enforcement Specialist - 2010-present

Reserve Ratings


Data Processing Technician - 1971-1999	Port Security Patrolman - 1943-1982	Port Securityman - 1982-1999	Port Security Specialist - 1999-2010	Port Security Specialist - 1999-2010
Costal Forceman - 1963-1967	Investigator - 1982-present	Firefighter - 1954-1982	Fire and Safety Specialist - 1982-1993	Classification Interviewer - 1943-1947
Dog and Horse Handler - 1943-1951	Tanker Loading Inspector - 1957-?	Chemical Warfareman - 1943-?	Public Relations - 1943-1948	Transportationman - 1943-?

U.S. Shipping Board

The United States Shipping Board (USSB) was established as an emergency agency by the 1916 Shipping Act. The United States Shipping Board task was to increase the number of US ships supporting the World War I efforts. United States Shipping Board program ended on March 2, 1934. Provisions were included to provide a standardized training program for officers. The act was amended in 1917 to include training and qualifications for Petty Officers. Three categories were established, Deck Crew, Engin Room, and Cooks/Stewards. Four levels of qualification were defined. Examples are shown below.


Chief Petty Officer	1st Class Petty Officer	2nd Class Petty Officer	3rd Class Petty Officer

U.S. Merchant Marine Service

The Merchant Marine Act of 1936 was enacted to further the development and maintenance of an adequate and well-balanced American merchant marine, to promote the commerce of the United States, and to aid in the national defense. Specifically, the Act established the United States Maritime Commission and required a United States Merchant Marine that consisted of U.S.-built, U.S.-flagged, U.S.-crewed, and U.S.-owned vessels capable of carrying all domestic and a substantial portion of foreign water-borne commerce which could serve as a naval auxiliary in time of war or national emergency. Provisions were included to provide a standardized training program for officers and enlisted. Enlisted chevrons and ratings are shown below.


Chief Petty Officer (1936-1940)	1st Class Petty Officer (1936-1940)	2nd Class Petty Officer (1936-1940)	3rd Class Petty Officer (1936-1940)	Chief Petty Officer (1940 to date)
1st Class Petty Officer (1940 to date)	2nd Class Petty Officer (1940 to date)	3rd Class Petty Officer (1940 to date)	1st Class Petty Officer - Summer White Uniform	2nd Class Petty Officer - Tan Working Uniform

Merchant Marine Ratings


Bosons Mate	Carpenters Mate	Cook/Baker	Commissary Steward	Electricians Mate
Gunners Mate	Hospital Assistant	Metalsmith/Shipfitter	Machinists Mate	Motor Machinists Mate
Musician	Photographers Mate	Printer	Qyartermaster	Signalman
Storekeeper	Yeoman