If you are interested in joining the nation’s first line of defense against maritime threats, consider the opportunities available to help the US Coast Guard’s 63,000 active-duty and reserve members protect more than 100,000 miles of the nation’s coastline and inland waterways.
Even though the Coast Guard is small, the 63,000 men and women are committed to protecting and defending the U.S. coastline and supporting humanitarian and search and rescue operations.
During peacetime, the service reports to the Department of Homeland Security. In wartime or when directed by the President, the Coast Guard operates as a service in the Department of the Navy. While the Coast Guard’s culture is unique among the branches, it shares many aspects of the history and tradition of the U.S. Navy.
Requirements to Join the Coast Guard
Enlisted Guardsmen are the backbone of the Coast Guard. Each member has their own specialized training and fills a roles within his or her unit.
Enlisted Path
Coast Guard requirements to join as an enlisted Guardsman are as follows. You must:
- Be between 17-42 years old.
- Hold U.S. citizenship or be a legal permanent resident
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Meet the Coast Guard physical requirements, as well as the mental and moral standards of the service
- Earn a minimum score on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test
- Pass the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) medical exam
- Pass criminal background and credit checks
- Pass the English comprehension level exam or successfully complete the Coast Guard’s English proficiency training if English is not your native language
The Coast Guard offers a multitude of opportunities for professional specialization. Officers can be charged with law enforcement, humanitarian aid, defense, regulation, environmental protection, diplomacy and literally guarding the coast.
Officer Path
To join the Coast Guard as an officer, you must:
- Be at least 21 years old to enroll in Officer Candidate School, but age requirements for different officer programs vary
- Hold U.S. citizenship
- Meet commissioning physical standards, including normal color vision
- Earn a minimum score on the ASVAB, SAT or ACT
Although the Coast Guard does not offer an ROTC program, there are other paths to becoming an officer:
- Direct commission: For leaders in professional fields such as law, medicine and religion. At completion of an officer training program, they are commissioned at a rank determined by their career branch.
- Officer Candidate School (OCS): OCS is a 12-week course for college graduates accepted into the program. It is held at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT. Check out OCS eligibility requirements.
- United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA): The smallest military academy out of the five U.S. armed forces branches, it provides full scholarships and four-year bachelor of science degree programs. Roughly 200 students graduate each year and receive a commission as an ensign. The application is online and the deadline is normally January 15.
- College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative (CSPI) Scholarship Program: CSPI is a scholarship program for college juniors and seniors who want to serve in the Coast Guard. You will become an active-duty Coast Guard member, and complete your degree with tuition, books, and fees paid for. After graduation, you will attend OCS and become a Coast Guard Ensign upon graduation.
How to Join the Coast Guard
The Coast Guard recruitment process begins with working with a Coast Guard recruiter. Recruiters know the ins and outs of the service and can help you navigate the process and make important decisions along the way.
There is no obligation when working with a recruiter. They will help you decide whether the Coast Guard is right for you, and they will shed light on which job opportunities within the service might be of interest if you enlist.
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Test
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is an aptitude test that helps prospective Guardsmen narrow down which field of work is best suited for them. It is designed to evaluate skills in several areas, including math, science, language, and technical knowledge such as electronics, automotive and mechanical abilities, and receive a line score that shows what Coast Guard jobs you are qualified for.
The minimum AFQT score on the ASVAB for enlisting in the U.S. Coast Guard is 32.
Physical Examination
Once an applicant has taken the ASVAB and passed with a qualifying score, the recruiting process moves to a medical exam at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS).
The basic physical examination includes:
- Height and weight measurements.
- Hearing and vision examinations.
- Urine and blood tests.
- Drug and alcohol tests.
- Muscle group and joint maneuvers in underwear (Not exercises and running. Just a few simple flexibility and balance tests to make sure you have proper ranges of motion.).
- Complete physical examination and interview.
- Specialized tests if required. Examples: fat percentage test (if you’re overweight).
- Secondary vision and hearing tests; other tests if you have an unusual medical history.
Boot Camp
Coast Guard basic training lasts eight weeks and is held at the Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May, New Jersey.
Basic will be mentally and physically tough. Much of your training will take place in a classroom where you will learn first aid, firefighting, weapons handling, practical seamanship, and general Coast Guard knowledge. You will have daily physical fitness and water survival classes. You also will learn military drill and the “ropes” of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Your Coast Guard pay begins during boot camp.
Coast Guard Physical Fitness Test
Physical fitness requirements in the Coast Guard are directly linked to “on-the-job” requirements. The Coast Guard Physical Fitness Test (PFT), sometimes simply called the Coast Guard PT test, is designed to measure cardiovascular fitness and muscular endurance.
Coast Guard men and women, who are rescue swimmers, small boat crew members, etc., must comply with the specific physical standards set forth by their position, but here are the general standards for the PFT and the 12-minute swim.
At boot camp, enlisted recruits are expected to perform:
- One minute of push-ups (men: 29, women: 15)
- One minute of sit-ups (men: 38, women 32)
- 1.5-mile timed run (men: 12:51, women: 15:26)
At Officer Candidate School (OCS), officer candidates are expected to perform:
- Cadence push-ups: one second down, one second up (men: 30, women: 20)
- Two minutes of sit-ups (men: 60, women: 60)
- 1.5-mile timed run (men: 10:59, women: 12:49)
You will also have to pass the 12-min swim test.
In 2025, The Coast Guard implemented a new Physical Fitness Test (PFT) for all active-duty and selected reserve members.
The new test will consist of:
- Push-ups
- Timed Planks
- A 1.5 mile run or
- A 12-minute swim or
- A 2000m row
For example, as a minimum requirement to pass the PFT, you must complete:
Males under 30:
- 29 push-ups
- 1:18 in the forearm plank
- 1.5-mile run in 12:29 or
- 2000m row in 9:20 or
- 500-yd swim in 12:00 or less
Female under 30:
- 15 push-ups
- 1:09 in the forearm plank
- 1.5-mile run in 15:05 or
- 2000m row in 10:40 or
- 400-yd swim in 12:00 or less
Note: The body composition policy is still in effect. Abdominal Circumference standards must not exceed 39 inches for males and 35.5 inches for females.
Assignment Selection
Coast Guard jobs are available in a variety of fields. Your recruiter will discuss with you the opportunities that are available to you based on your ASCAB line score and the jobs for which you qualify for. You may be offered a job before basic training, or choose preferences during basic training from available assignments at different locations and unit types,
After basic training, you will get technical training in a variety of fields, including aviation, cybersecurity and information technology, navigation and seamanship, mechanical and electrical operations, diving, electronics, firearms maintenance, medical services, machinery, and more.
If you have a high ASVAB score, you are eligible to enroll in a specialized school immediately following boot camp, bypassing the unspecialized assignments and getting a head start on your career.
The Oath
To be sworn into the Coast Guard, you will take the Oath of Enlistment, which is a pledge to defend the Constitution throughout your military career.
Benefits of Joining the Coast Guard
Joining the Coast Guard comes with a variety of benefits.
Income Benefits
When you join the Coast Guard, your paycheck grows as you gain more experience and rise up the ranks. As of 2026, basic pay for an Seaman Recruit (E-1) begins at $2,407.20 per month, or $28,886.30 annually. An Coast Guard Ensign’s (O-1) initial basic pay is $4,150.20, or $49,802.40 per year.
The Coast Guard also offers a variety of allowances that increase your total compensation. These include free or reduced-cost health care, food, housing, education, 30 days of paid vacation annually, and more.
An advanced paygrade incentive may be offered to recruits with certain experience, like college credits, JROTC, police and sea explorer programs, or scouting achievements. This can result in an immediate promotion to Seaman E-3 pay grade after basic training, six months earlier than normal.
Bonuses
The Coast Guard has several enlistment incentive programs to meet recruiting goals, such as signing bonuses. These could apply to all recruits, be tied to enlistments within certain time periods, or require qualifying skills, certifications, or education.
In 2023, the service introduced a Scout Talent and Refer program, offering $1,000 to any member, retiree, reservist or civilian employee who steers a recruit to basic training.
The Coast Guard also added enlistment bonuses of up to $75,000 for recruits interested in critical ratings (culinary specialists (CS), electrician’s mate (EM), and machinery technicians (MK)), have college credit, choose to quick ship, or take Coast Guard Reserve assignments. becoming a gunner’s mate, culinary specialist or other understaffed rating.
Educational Benefits
While on active duty, you may continue your education and receive help defraying the cost of college-accredited courses.
On top of specialized job training in fields like law enforcement, environmental science, engineering, health care and more, the Coast Guard can fund your college education through the GI Bill, Tuition Assistance programs for active-duty and reserve members in active-duty status, and other programs. These include Voluntary Education such as CLEP testing that allows you to take an exam in lieu of a college course. If you pass, you can then apply the passing grade as a credit towards your degree.
You’ll also have access to hands-on training and professional certifications that can open doors to post-Coast Guard career opportunities. The Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL) program will reimburse the training necessary to obtain certain certifications. You may use the CG COOL program to enhance your skills, either in your current specialty or in an occupation you would like to pursue when you leave military service.
Additionally, Coast Guard offers the following programs:
- Coast Guard Foundation Grant: Open to active-duty enlisted personnel in paygrades E-3 to E-9 with at least two years of service.
- Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) assistance toward a family member’s education expenses.
- The opportunity to take CLEP DANTES, and other tests at no cost for dependent spouses and Federal Coast Guard employees.
Learn more about the Coast Guard’s educational programs here.
Healthcare Benefits
Full-time, active-duty Coast Guard members receive medical, dental, and vision coverage for themselves and their dependents. Mental health support is also available.
Active-duty members typically receive medical care through Coast Guard clinics manned by the Public Health Service clinicians and Coast Guard health technicians. Family members usually receive care through the civilian Tricare network. Service members not located near a Coast Guard clinic and their beneficiaries also can get medical care at Defense Health Agency facilities. There are several Tricare programs to choose from, depending on your status and location.
Guardsmen can receive discounted life insurance, retirement plan options, financial counseling, and legal services.
Basic Housing Allowance
You also may receive additional tax-free money for Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) if government housing is not available; Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), if government food facilities are not available in the area you are stationed; and a uniform allowance (for enlisted personnel only) to help maintain your uniform.
Additionally, Guardsmen receive exchange and commissary privileges, moving allowances, temporary lodging expenses, travel, survivor benefits, Veterans Affairs home loans and more.
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Content previously published on Military.com and content from gocoastguard.com were used in compiling this report.
FAQ
How long is Coast Guard basic training?
Coast Guard boot camp is eight weeks at Training Center Cape May, NJ. Recruits complete classroom instruction, physical fitness training, water survival, seamanship, firefighting, weapons handling, and military drill.
What ASVAB score do I need for the Coast Guard?
The minimum AFQT score required to enlist is 32, but some ratings may require higher line scores.
Does the Coast Guard offer enlistment bonuses?
Yes. The Coast Guard offers enlistment bonuses of up to $75,000 for critical ratings such as culinary specialist (CS), electrician’s mate (EM), and machinery technician (MK), as well as incentives for quick-ship recruits, college credit holders, and Reserve applicants.
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