If a member has over 5 years sea time on his LES, but gathered some of his/her time from the NAVY does this authorize it to be worn. I looked up in the Cutter training manual and all it states is for Coast Guard time. There are a couple members in my shop that are prior service with way over 5 years and would like guidance on this. Is it in any other manual?

You already gave them crystal clear guidance in your original post. You found the source and the guidance. The permanent Cuttermans Pin is for 5 years of COAST GUARD Sea Time. (Plus all watch qualifications for their grade, which according to Direct Access, not one of your shipmates below E-6 has. PLUS a Oral qual board) Other service Sea Time counts when determining Sea Pay scale, which is most important. They probably also would like to wear their ESWS pin too, but they can not.

Thank you Master Chief. The manual states in simple form, but just wanted to be correct with this issue.

OS1

No problem. Sometimes things are as simple as they seem...........

When did the qual board come out for the Cutterman's Pin?

Pretty simple to figure out... USN does not have cutters, therefore any USN sea time (not in a USCG exchange program) is not sea time for a cutterman's pin.

I know when I got mine I did not have a qual board, but I held just about every operational job on a WPB, so maybe that was enough.

quote:

Originally posted by prdavis32:
I know when I got mine I did not have a qual board, but I held just about every operational job on a WPB, so maybe that was enough.

Same here...I have mine, and didn't get a qual board. Either way, I was Adv. DCPQS qualed, went through 2 tacts, and have 6+ years onboard a ship.

I believe it was roughly 1994 or so when the changes were made. I have no doubt that commands continue to ignore clear directions. What 'your command' did and what it was SUPPOSED to do may very likely be different things.

MC, that was when they made the change in the officer and enlisted cutterman's pin, right? Meaning that, if you were enlisted and had one, once you made officer you did not directly put on a gold, but had to have time in grade as an O as well?

The silver Cutterman Insignia is for wear by enlisted personnel and the gold insignia is for wear by officers. Individuals shall wear the color insignia actually earned. Personnel who change status from enlisted to officer will continue to wear the silver insignia until they complete all of the applicable sections required for the gold insignia.

That is the wording that I was looking for.