Skip to main content

U.S. Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserve

Skip to main content

Main Navigation

United States Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserve Home Page. The USCG Seal.
  • About the Coast Guard

     
    About the Coast Guard
    • Learn the History
    • Discover Our Roles & Missions
    • Advance Through Training
    • Experience the Coast Guard
    • Find a Recruiter
  • Active-Duty Careers

     
    Enlisted Active-Duty
    • View Job Descriptions
    • Receive Pay & Benefits
    • Advance through Training
    • Participate with Prior Service
    • FAQ
    • Plan Your Next Move
    Officer Active-Duty
    • Programs
    • Receive Pay & Benefits
    • Advance Through Training
    • Serve Where Needed
    • FAQ
    • Plan Your Next Move
  • Reserve Careers

     
    Enlisted Reserve
    • View Job Descriptions
    • Reserve Enlisted Programs
    • Receive Pay & Benefits
    • Advance through Training
    • Participate with Prior Service
    • Search for Reserve Vacancies
    • FAQ
    • Plan Your Next Move
    Officer Reserve
    • Programs
    • Receive Pay & Benefits
    • Advance Through Training
    • FAQ
    • Plan Your Next Move
  • Family and Friends

     
    Family and Friends
    • Serve and Advance
    • Learn About Commitments
    • Witness Personal Growth
    • When A Loved One Joins The Coast Guard
    • FAQ
    • The Helmsman

Mobile Menu

Main Menu:
Explore your options...
  • About the Coast Guard
  • Enlisted Active-Duty
  • Officer Active-Duty
  • Enlisted Reserve
  • Officer Reserve
  • Family and Friends
 Email Sign-Up  Find a Recruiter  Chat Now  Apply Now

Mobile

  • About the Coast Guard
  • Enlisted Active-Duty
  • Officer Active-Duty
  • Enlisted Reserve
  • Officer Reserve
  • Family and Friends

En Espanol

Breadcrumb

  • Home
  • Family and Friends
  • The Helmsman
Back to Top

The Helmsman

Table of Contents

  • Introduction
  • Coast Guard Ethos
  • Welcome
    • History
    • Roles and Missions
    • Before you Arrive
    • Contraband
    • What to Bring
  • Physical Fitness
    • Minimum Physical Fitness Standards
  • Keys to Success
    • Know Your Chain of Command
  • Charting Your Course
    • Arrival
    • Company Formation
    • Learning the Basics
    • Practical Training
    • Preparation for Your First Unit
    • Graduation
  • Required Knowledge
    • 11 General Orders
    • Customs and Courtesies
    • The Position of Attention
    • Addressing Personnel
    • Work Life
    • Coast Guard Rank Structure
    • Phonetic Alphabet
    • Pay and Allowances
    • Common TermsĀ 
    • Military Trim
    • Housing
    • Assignments
    • Leave and Liberty
    • Morning and Evening Colors
    • Family Information
    • WQSB and Drills
    • USCG Boats
    • USCG Cutters
    • USCG Aircraft
    • Flags and Pennants
    • Grooming Standards
    • Uniform
    • Rates
  • Facts and Reporting
    • Counseling Resources
    • Chapel Resources
    • Medical Resources
    • Suicide Prevention
    • Restricted Sexual Assault Reporting
    • Unrestricted Sexual Assault Reporting
    • Hazing
  • Semper Paratus

Submenu (Family)

  • Serve and Advance
  • Learn About Commitments
  • Witness Personal Growth
  • When A Loved One Joins The Coast Guard
  • FAQ
  • The Helmsman
    • Introduction
    • The United States Coast Guard Ethos
    • Welcome
    • Physical Fitness
    • Keys to Success
    • Charting Your Course
    • Required Knowledge
    • Facts and Reporting
    • Semper Paratus

Want to be the best?

Find out what to expect before joining the Coast Guard

WATCH OUR VIDEO!

Footer Menu

  • CG Academy
  • USCG.MIL
  • Civilian Careers
  • Volunteer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Sitemap
  • Plugins
Coast Guard member standing watch. Chat NowStill have Questions?
Coast Guard member scanning the horizon. Find a RecruiterGet Started.

© 2019 United States Coast Guard. All Rights Reserved

Department of Homeland Security
Facebook Instagram YouTube