United States Coast Guard - E-2 Seaman Apprentice

What are a Seaman Apprentice's Responsibilities?

A Seaman Apprentice is the second lowest rank in the United States Coast Guard (USCG). During basic training as an E-1, he or she would have received orders for posting to a unit in one of three Coast Guard groups or communities – as a Seaman Apprentice for basic deck and administration, as a Fireman Apprentice for engineering and hull, or as an Airman Apprentice for aviation. These groups are indicated by the colour of the two diagonal stripes worn on the upper arm of the blue uniform, but never on working dress. The Seaman Apprentice is distinguished by white stripes, the Fireman Apprentice red, and the Airman Apprentice green.

he E-2 Coast Guardsman will start to apply the skills acquired in basic training and prepare for his or her career in the Coast Guard. The apprentice is posted to his or her first unit to begin practical service, following orders and performing tasks while awaiting training in a Class "A" School or a "striker" program (on-the-job training) in a particular specialty. Not yet holding a rating (occupational specialty), most E-2s are still classified as non-designated or "non-rates". As the title implies, the Apprentic will undergo on-the-job training with some theoretical learning under close supervision of qualified personnel in the chosen community.

What is a Seaman Apprentice's Paygrade?

A Seaman Apprentice is considered a Seaman, with a paygrade of E-2. The civilian equivalent of this military rank is roughly GS-2 under the federal government's General Schedule payscale.

On this page you can learn more about a Seaman Apprentice's payscale, the process of becoming a Seaman Apprentice, and the history of the rank in the United States Coast Guard.

Basic Pay:

Drill Pay: