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Seaman Apprentice

Coast Guard Seaman

E-3 Seaman, U.S. Coast Guard
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Petty Officer Third Class

Coast Guard Ranks » Seaman RankSN PaySN Rank History

How to get promoted to Seaman History of the Coast Guard Seaman Rank

A Seaman is a Seaman in the United States Coast Guard at DoD paygrade E-3.

The rank of "seaman" is one of the oldest military ranks, preceding any army rank. It means, literally, "a man of the sea". It approximates that of an "able seaman", a sailor who has acquired his "sea-legs" and is thus fit for deck duty even in inclement weather. The rank was recognised in the Coast Guard Regulations of 18 May 1920, as "Seaman First Class".

Want to learn more? Read about the Coast Guard's Seaman rank on Military-Ranks.org.


History of the Coast Guard

The Coast Guard has changed names several times over its 200+ year history, but it is largely the same organization as it was in 1790 as the Revenue Marine. Uniforms, culture, and professions are very similar to the Navy, but the mission is different. While the Navy ensures freedom of navigation internationally, the Coast Guard does so for our nation's coasts through vessel inspections, law enforcement, drug and migrant interdiction, maintenance of navigation aids, environmental protection and research, ice operations, and search-and-rescue. Sailors of the Navy and Coast Guard have a high respect for each other, knowing that one can do what the other cannot.