Obverse:  The Coast Guard Achievement Medal is a bronze medallion, 1-1/4 inches in diameter.  In its center is the Coast Guard seal surrounded by a laurel wreath.  The laurel wreath is, in turn, surrounded by a continuous cable.  The Coast Guard seal signifies that this is a Coast Guard decoration; the laurel wreath represents achievement, and the continuous cable refers to both naval service and the ideal of perfection.

Reverse:  At the top of the medal, in two lines, the words AWARDED TO; at the bottom of the medal, also in two lines, the words FOR ACHIEVEMENT.  Directly above the word For is a raised bar, above which the recipients name may be engraved.