The Maritime Enforcement Specialist (ME) rating is the uniformed law enforcement specialist of the United States Coast Guard. Responsible for law enforcement and force protection, these personnel are trained in traditional maritime law enforcement, anti-terrorism, force protection, port security and safety, and unit-level training.[1]
| Maritime Law Enforcement Specialist | |
| Issued By: | United States Coast Guard |
| Type: | Enlisted rating |
| Abbreviation: | ME |
| Specialty: | Law enforcementCounter-Terrorism |
MEs are the Coast Guard's tactical specialists. When situations demand the high risk tactics, such as helicopter insertion or Visit, board, search, and seizure, MEs get the call. Most MEs are typically assigned to special units Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF), a Maritime Force Protection Unit (MFPU), or United States Coast Guard Police shore units.
Professionals serving in areas such as: inter-agency operations, security and response, security and anti-terrorism force protection, training, and administration.[2]
A recent addition to the personnel of the U.S. Coast Guard inventory, Coast Guardsmen in the ME rating are trained and qualified to provide security and law enforcement support for U.S. Coast Guard assets. The first class of Coast Guardsmen graduated from ME "A" School on 14 April 2010.
Port Security Specialist (PS) was disestablished and merged into the Maritime Enforcement (ME) rating in 2010. Port Security Specialists supported of Department of Defense national-defense operations overseas as a member of a Naval Coastal Warfare Unit, or a Coast Guard Port Security Unit. Worked at a Sector to ensure the physical security of a major U.S. port, or were members of a Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST). MSSTs are capable of being deployed throughout the United States to provide heightened waterside and shoreside security in support of maritime homeland security operations.
Personnel selected to attend the 10-week long ME "A" School, located in Charleston, South Carolina at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers[1] must first meet certain eligibility requirements.
These courses lead to required qualifications and designations that collectively allow MEs to advance as operators. Many of the schools are from Special Missions Training Center (SMTC) and Maritime Law Enforcement Academy.
The following are the eligibility criteria to be selected as an ME:[3]