Not surprisingly, the Coast Guard’s enlisted rank structure is extremely similar to the United States Navy, but on a smaller scale. All enlisted recruits enter the Coast Guard as Seaman Recruits at the pay grade of E-1. Seaman Recruits wear a single white diagonal stripe on their sleeve to indicate their pay grade, or rate.
Following the eight-week basic training course, Seaman Recruits will be promoted to the E-2 pay grade as either a Seaman, Fireman, or (much less likely) an Airman apprentice. (The Navy has two additional types of Apprentices, Hospitalman and Constructionman.) With the advancement, Seaman Apprentices replace the single white stripe with two white stripes. Some Seaman Recruits will be promoted to Fireman Apprentice, while a relatively small number are chosen to become Airmen Apprentice and will have two green stripes.
Once enlisted Guardsmen reach the E-4 rate, or Petty Officer Third Class, the color distinctions between Seaman, Airman, and Fireman are dropped, as are the diagonal stripes. All Petty Officers (E-4 to E-6) wear red chevrons to indicate their rate/rank, while Chief Petty Officers (E-7 to E-9) wear gold stripes. This is in contrast to the Navy’s system in which Petty Officers and Chief Petty Officers are allowed to wear gold chevrons after 12 years of good conduct, i.e., conduct that qualifies them for the Good Conduct Medal.