Title 14, Coast GuardRelease 119-102

§3709 Reserve Student Aviation Pilots; Reserve Aviation Pilots; Appointments in Commissioned Grade

Title 14 › SUBTITLE III — COAST GUARD RESERVE AND AUXILIARY › CHAPTER 37 — COAST GUARD RESERVE › SUBCHAPTER I — ADMINISTRATION › § 3709

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

Under rules set by the Secretary, an enlisted member of the Reserve can be made a student aviation pilot. If the member is not already a qualified aviator, they must agree in writing to serve on active duty for two years after finishing flight training unless released sooner. Student pilots can be released or discharged under those rules. The government pays for uniforms and equipment. A qualified civilian aviator may get a short refresher course. After successful training, a student can be made an aviation pilot. In peacetime, someone who agreed to the two-year duty may be kept on for up to two more years. An aviation pilot may be released or discharged under the rules, and, if qualified, may be appointed as an ensign in the Reserve.

Full Legal Text

Title 14, §3709

Coast Guard, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary an enlisted member of the Reserve may be designated as a student aviation pilot.
(b)A member who is not a qualified aviator may not be designated as a student aviation pilot unless the member agrees in writing to serve on active duty for a period of two years after successful completion of flight training, unless sooner released. A student aviation pilot may be released from active duty or discharged at any time as provided for in the regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
(c)A student aviation pilot who is a qualified civilian aviator may be given a brief refresher course in flight training.
(d)A student aviation pilot undergoing flight training is entitled to have uniforms and equipment provided at Government expense.
(e)Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, a student aviation pilot may be designated an aviation pilot upon the successful completion of flight training.
(f)In time of peace, an aviation pilot obligated under subsection (b) to serve on active duty for two years may serve for an additional period of not more than two years.
(g)An aviation pilot may be released from active duty or discharged at any time as provided for in the regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
(h)If qualified under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, an aviation pilot may be appointed as an ensign in the Reserve.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 758a of this title prior to the complete revision of former chapter 21 of this title by Pub. L. 96–322.

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 709 of this title as this section.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

14 U.S.C. § 3709

Title 14, Coast Guard

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102