APPROXIMATElast verified 2026-10-18U.S. Coast Guard Deployable Specialized Forces (MSRT / TACLET) — Tactical Operator
Tactical Operator screener: PFA + 5 chin-ups and 5 pull-ups (2024)
Tactical Operators of the Coast Guard's Deployable Specialized Forces serve in the Maritime Security Response Teams (MSRT) and Tactical Law Enforcement Teams (TACLET); the role is a core competency of the Maritime Enforcement Specialist (ME) rating. Candidates attend a one-week screener at the Special Missions Training Center, Camp Lejeune, where they must pass the standard Maritime Law Enforcement Physical Fitness Assessment, including the 1.5-mile run, plus 5 chin-ups and 5 pull-ups; failing either means immediate removal. The thresholds of the assessment itself are not public — this page checks only the published 5 + 5.
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Pay · free · 2026 tables
What a Coast Guard Tactical Operator earns
The Coast Guard uses the same basic pay and food allowance (BAS) tables as the Department of Defense (37 U.S.C. § 101 counts it among the uniformed services). Not included: housing allowance (BAH), which depends on the team's station, and special duty pay (SDP, levels 75–450 USD a month), because the level for Tactical Operators is not public; bonuses are not included either. Source file: data/us/pay.md, data/us/tier1-afsoc-uscg.md §3.3.
- DFAS — Basic Pay, Enlisted (effective 1 Jan 2026) (Oct 18, 2026)
- DFAS — Basic Allowance for Subsistence 2026 (Oct 18, 2026)
The test, event by event
| Event | Minimum at the Tactical Operator screener (AY25) |
|---|---|
| Chin-ups | 5 |
| Pull-ups | 5 |
Also required
- Candidates are serving Coast Guard members: the Tactical Operator role is a core competency of the Maritime Enforcement Specialist (ME) rating. From AY25, officers O-1 to O-3 and a limited number of Boatswain's Mates, Machinery Technicians and Gunner's Mates (up to 10, 10 and 5) may also apply on a trial basis.
- A Physical Fitness Assessment under the Law Enforcement Competency Qualification Manual (COMDTINST M16247.3G), passed within 2 months before the screener and confirmed by the commanding officer. At the screener the assessment is repeated, with the 1.5-mile run mandatory. Its push-up, sit-up and run thresholds are in internal manuals and are not published.
- The one-week screener at the Special Missions Training Center (Camp Lejeune, North Carolina) includes classroom, land, weapons, tower and water events, fitness and boarding scenarios; no standards are published for the water events. Those selected go on to the 12-week Tactical Operations Course: boardings up to opposed level by day and night, close-quarters combat, insertions from the water and from the air; MSRT operators also train for CBRN environments.
- Since 1 July 2026 the Coast Guard has a new service-wide Physical Fitness Test (push-ups, forearm plank and a cardio event: 1.5-mile run/walk, 2,000 m row or 450 yd / 500 m swim; COMDTINST 6100.1). Its thresholds are in an internal guide, and as of June 2026 the Deployable Specialized Forces had no approved community fitness test of their own. Whether the new test replaces the assessment used at the screener has not been announced.
- Minimum at the Tactical Operator screener (AY25) — USCG ALCGPSC 079/24 — AY25 Tactical Operator Screener Solicitation (2024-06-10)
Questions
Are 5 chin-ups and 5 pull-ups really enough?
No. They are only the published part of the requirement: you must also pass the Maritime Law Enforcement Physical Fitness Assessment with the 1.5-mile run, whose thresholds are not public, and the screener has tower and water events. The bulletin itself warns that physical fitness is the leading cause of failure at the screener.
Can a civilian apply directly?
No. The screener is open to serving Coast Guard members, mainly from the Maritime Enforcement Specialist (ME) rating. A civilian first enlists and completes the 10-week ME rating course in Charleston, South Carolina (gocoastguard.com).
Where do the numbers come from?
From the official Coast Guard bulletin ALCGPSC 079/24 “AY25 Tactical Operator Screener Solicitation” of 10 June 2024 (read 18 October 2026). We found no newer edition for AY26 or AY27, so the rules may have changed since — especially after the new fitness programme started in July 2026.
What does USCG DSF pay?
What a Coast Guard Tactical Operator earns: in the default scenario (E-5 · >3) $4,253 gross per month, 2026 tables. The pay calculator on this page lets you change rank, seniority and allowances. Main source: DFAS — Basic Pay, Enlisted (effective 1 Jan 2026).