Title 14, Coast GuardRelease 119-102
§3738a Direct Commissioning Authority for Individuals with Critical Skills
Title 14 › SUBTITLE III — COAST GUARD RESERVE AND AUXILIARY › CHAPTER 37 — COAST GUARD RESERVE › SUBCHAPTER II — PERSONNEL › § 3738a
Summary
The Commandant can make a person who has skills needed to carry out Coast Guard missions into a Coast Guard officer, even if they are not already an officer, at a rank no higher than commander.
Full Legal Text
Title 14, §3738a
Coast Guard, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
An individual with critical skills that the Commandant considers necessary for the Coast Guard to complete its missions who is not currently serving as an officer in the Coast Guard may be commissioned into the Coast Guard at a grade up to and including commander.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
14 U.S.C. § 3738a
Title 14, Coast Guard
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102