Is DV (Diver) a Good Rating?
United States Coast Guard · Coast Guard Rating
Quick Facts — DV (Diver)
AIT / Training
20 weeks
Training Location
NDSTC, Panama City, FL
Career Field
Special Operations
Verdict: Not enough data
Based on 0 community reviews from verified service members
Score Breakdown
About DV Diver
Performs underwater ship husbandry, salvage, and port security diving operations. Coast Guard divers inspect vessel hulls, maintain waterside infrastructure, and support law enforcement operations.
20 weeks
NDSTC, Panama City, FL
Special Operations
Recruiter vs. Reality
What the Recruiter Says
Coast Guard Divers conduct underwater operations that keep ports safe and ships operational — hull inspections, salvage, underwater welding, and port security diving. It's one of the most physically demanding and specialized ratings in the Coast Guard.
What It's Actually Like
The dive school pipeline is demanding and the water is rarely warm or clear. You'll inspect hulls in harbors with zero visibility, cut metal underwater, and conduct security swims around high-value vessels. The community is small — fewer than 200 active CG divers — and the work is genuinely unique. Commercial diving and marine construction companies recruit heavily from this rating. The physical demands never stop; your fitness is your qualification.