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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