Washington, DC, Sept. 17, 2025 —
On 13 August 2025, the Office of Naval Engineering unveiled the new Naval Engineer Apprentice Personnel Qualification Standard (PQS) training requirements, marking a significant improvement in the professional development of the Naval Engineering workforce. This updated PQS replaces legacy Naval Engineer PQS, COMDTINST 3501.11 (series), with a modernized, competency-based structure. Designed to align with the Apprentice-Journeyman-Master career path of the Officer Specialty Management System, the Naval Engineering Apprentice PQS provides foundational knowledge essential for technical, logistical, and operational assignments.
During the past decade, the Naval Engineering community has undergone significant transformation, driven by the delivery of new classes of cutters (e.g., Fast Response Cutters and National Security Cutters) requiring specialized skills for sustainment, operation, and maintenance. While efforts to train our junior officers (JOs) to manage the Coast Guard’s increasingly complex shipboard systems continue, the growing demand for shoreside mission support coupled with officer accessions that outpaced afloat training billets available each assignment year exposed gaps in the legacy training program. These gaps prompted a need to refresh our professional development of Naval Engineers.
Thus, the Office of Naval Engineering created a more comprehensive training program, which enables JOs to gain fundamental knowledge of cutter maintenance and to advance in their careers regardless of afloat service. Core components of the new PQS course include the following:
- Studying key topics such as shipboard systems and shipboard engineering programs (e.g., the introduction to engineering administration and maintenance management). These foundational subjects equip trainees with the requisite knowledge to grow through continuous learning within the Naval Engineering officer specialty.
- Hands-on training and mentorship are emphasized! Coast Guard master engineers provide opportunities to step away from the computer and engage directly with mechanical systems at the Service’s largest homeports (e.g., Base Charleston (S.C.),
Base Portsmouth (Va.), Base Alameda (Calif.), and Base Seattle (Wash.)).
- Completing “knowledge checks” and “performance tasks,” prescribed in the PQS and tailored to Coast Guard engineering needs. Knowledge checks include different types of tests and artifacts such as drawing diagrams and color-coding parts to answer written questions. Performance tasks also involve physically demonstrating how to address various mechanical issues.
Successful completion of these training requirements enables JOs to earn their Naval Engineer Apprentice specialty code, which is established as a pivotal milestone in early career development!
Interested in learning more or taking the first step toward becoming a Naval Engineer? Join the Naval Engineering Workforce Team, visit the Naval Engineering Career Information site, or reach out to LCDR Laurin Teegarden at Laurin.M.Teegarden@uscg.mil for training opportunities!