Certain categories of personnel can enlist in the United States Coast Guard, and receive advanced paygrade status.
For the Rank of E-2:
- High School Diploma and two years of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC)
- Member of the Delayed Entry Program (DEP) who refers at least two people, who then enlist in the Coast Guard
- High School Diploma and member of the Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC), who have achieved the rating of seaman apprentice, fireman apprentice, airman apprentice, constructionman apprentice or hospitalman apprentice
- 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of post-secondary (college) education
- Active and currently qualified as boat crew in the Coast Guard Auxiliary
- High School Diploma holders active and currently qualified as able seamen in the Sea Explorers
- High School Diploma holders who are Eagle Scouts
For the Rank of E-3:
- High School Diploma and three years of JROTC
- Two years (four semesters) of college ROTC
- High School Diploma and member of the Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC), who have achieved the rating of seaman, fireman, airman, constructionman or hospitalman
- Active and currently qualified as vessel operators or coxswains in the Coast Guard Auxiliary
- High School Diploma holders who are active and currently qualified as quartermasters in the Sea Explorers
