14 USC 301 - Grades and ratings

U.S Code last checked for updates: Apr 02, 2026

§ 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.)

cite as: 14 USC 301