The Coast Guard created the Chief Warrant Officer Diving specialty (DIV) in 2014 at the same it established the Diver (DV) rating. For Petty Officers, becoming eligible for selection as a Diver CWO means rising through a tiered apprentice-journeyman-master system in the DV rating, from E-5 and a 2nd-class Diver qualification to E-6 and E-7 and a 1st-Class rating; Senior Chief Petty Officers (E-8) can qualify as Master Divers.
When white Dress or Service uniforms are prescribed, Diving Specialists wear their distinct specialty mark—a diving helmet sporting two upright tridents and flaned by two sea horses—on Hard shoulder boards. Below the insignia is a gold Coast Guard shield, and at the outermost edge of the boards is the specific CWO insignia of rank (2 to 4). The hinged hasp on the bottom of the Hard board is opened and inserted through the shoulder loops of the Dinner Dress White Jacket and the Service Dress White coat; it’s also worn Bridge Coats with shoulder loops and is even authorized for now-discontinued Reefer Coats (if they are still in good enough condition).
For shirts worn with the Service Dress Blue “Bravo” and Tropical Blue uniforms, the Enhanced Diver CWO is attached by sliding the shoulder epaulettes through the open-ended, elastic material on the bottom of the board. Enhanced boards are also authorized for Bridge Coats (if equipped with epaulettes) and Cardigan and Wooly-Pully sweaters (from April through October).
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Diving Specialist CWO Collar Device
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