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Coast Guard Seaman Recruit

E-1 Seaman, U.S. Coast Guard
(Next) E-2 SACoast Guard Seaman Apprentice
Seaman Apprentice

Coast Guard Ranks » Seaman Recruit RankSR PaySR Rank History

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

A Seaman Recruit is a Seaman in the United States Coast Guard at DoD paygrade E-1.

The origin of the international term "seaman" is lost in history and is thought to pre-date any army rank. The "seaman recruit" is roughly equivalent in rank to the historic "landsman", an entry-level recruit who had yet to gain sufficient experience and "sea-legs" to serve onboard a naval vessel. In United States Coast Guard history, the rank of "Seaman Recruit" was one of three then classified as "Seaman Third Class" in the Coast Guard Regulations of 18 May 1920, aimed at aligning Coast Guard ranks with those of the Navy. In case of war, the Coast Guard could and can be called upon to serve with the Navy. Today, all E-1 Coast Guardsmen are generally referred to as seaman recruits.

Want to learn more? Read about the Coast Guard's Seaman Recruit 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.