View all text of Subchapter I [§ 301 - § 301]
§ 301. Grades and ratings
(a)In General.—In the Coast Guard, there shall be—
(1) admirals (two);
(2) vice admirals;
(3) rear admirals;
(4) rear admirals (lower half);
(5) captains;
(6) commanders;
(7) lieutenant commanders;
(8) lieutenants;
(9) lieutenants (junior grade);
(10) ensigns;
(11) chief warrant officers;
(12) cadets;
(13) warrant officers; and
(14) enlisted members.
(b)Enlisted Members.—Enlisted members shall be distributed in ratings established by the Secretary.
(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 497, § 41; Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, §§ 6, 53, 70A Stat. 620, 679; Pub. L. 86–474, § 1(1), May 14, 1960, 74 Stat. 144; Pub. L. 92–451, § 1(1), Oct. 2, 1972, 86 Stat. 755; Pub. L. 97–417, § 2(1), Jan. 4, 1983, 96 Stat. 2085; Pub. L. 98–557, § 15(a)(3)(B), (C), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2865; Pub. L. 99–145, title V, § 514(a)(2), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 628; Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title V, § 541(f)(4), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2766; Pub. L. 114–120, title II, § 201(a), Feb. 8, 2016, 130 Stat. 33; renumbered § 301, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 104(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4196; Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXII, § 7201(b), (e)(1), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1675, 1678.)