Coast Guard Ratings Information
U.S. Coast Guard Ratings and Occupational Specialties
The Coast Guard uses a rating system similar to the Navy. Each rating is designated by a two or three-letter abbreviation that identifies a specific occupational specialty.
For example, BM stands for Boatswain's Mate, ME for Maritime Enforcement Specialist, and MST for Marine Science Technician.
Below are the main Coast Guard ratings organized by career fields. This is not a complete list. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the official U.S. Coast Guard careers website.
Mission: The Coast Guard is unique as it's both a military service and law enforcement agency, operating as part of the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime and can be transferred to the Department of the Navy during wartime.
Deck & Operations Ratings
Engineering & Hull Ratings
Aviation Ratings
Administrative & Scientific Ratings
Special Operations Ratings
Coast Guard Missions
The Coast Guard carries out 11 statutory missions:
- Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security
- Drug Interdiction
- Aids to Navigation
- Search and Rescue
- Living Marine Resources
- Marine Safety
- Defense Readiness
- Migrant Interdiction
- Marine Environmental Protection
- Ice Operations
- Law Enforcement