New Ideas
   
   
   
   
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| CW5 Insignia Ideas |
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Updated
9 September 1999
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New Ideas
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23 April 1999
Issue: The current CW5 Insignia is confusing to the vast majority of Officer and enlisted encountered. They wonder why a CW5 would only have 4 squares. Recommendation: A new CW5 rank insignia which clearly identifies the highest warrant rank be designed and approved for wear. Discussion: The current four square insignia was chosen for the Master Warrant Officer after the TWO study was completed in the late 80's. I remember there was a lot of talk about the insignia and what it should look like, but I never got any details on the decision. For MWO it was probably a good bar (no pay or advancement involved) We have had CW5 for 6 years now and its time to finally have an insignia which truly identifies the top grade as stars do for generals and SGM's. 23 April 1999 I believe it is time for change as well. I think anyone who has ideas, drawings, designs etc., should submit them to the Executive Council for safekeeping until we figure out a process for presenting design(s) to the Corps for vote. This issue will certainly be included in the study along with the many others presented so far via the network. Thinking outside the box is a good thing. McLendon, Ronald, CW5, DAPE CW5 Ronald L. McLendon
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23 APR 99
I believe it is time for a change also. Attached is my recommendation. It is a Pentagon shaped silver rank the size of an LTC's oakleaf with a gold warrant eagle in the middle. The pentagon would symbolize the CW5. Out of the box design, right. V/R CW4 Don Alsbrooks
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23 APR 99
My recommendation for a new CW5 insignia is to wear warrant officer eagle(s) in place of the present rank bar(s). I know this is thinking out of the box, but I believe there would be little or no confusion, first that the individual is a warrant officer, and second that the individual holds the rank of CW5. CW4(P)
John Blackmon
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26 APR 99
I like the Pentagon design you've come up with. It's unique and cannot be confused with any other insignia of rank. I wonder if someone might think it is a misplaced unit crest, however. What do you think of a black pentagon with a gold eagle and a silver star as located? I thought the star would dress it up a little and also follow the CSM / GO mentality that we all recognize as the highest attainable ranks in both categories. Don |
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26 April 1999
Here is my design. Silver edges around solid black bar. Anything could be added to black bar: star, eagle, etc. In retrospect, may be a little too close to the CW4 rank from a distance, but adding into black portion of bar might help. |
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28 APR 99
Gentlemen, As an older gray haired soldier, I am proud to be driven by tradition, so my insignia recommendation for consideration comes from our warrant officer rank of years past. Years ago, as junior warrants (WO1 and CW2), the bar was gold with the appropriate number of boxes, and then changed to silver for the senior ranks (CW3 and CW4) again with the appropriate number of boxes. The color difference between junior and senior ranks was distinguishable from a distance and the detailed distinction of the specific rank could be made within 6 to 8 paces to render salute courtesy. In keeping with the gold and silver tradition; by employing a silver bar with gold boxes, the overall color and appearance should make the insignia distinctive from any other rank from a distance and certainly from close range. Whether maintaining the box tradition or, as has been suggested, using gold stars, the combination of gold and silver should make the insignia unrivaled. There have been some comments offered to put a solid bar and or a star inside the silver bar, that I have made as examples from which to gain impressions. Colors, bars or stars, the CW5 rank insignia must maintain and represent our warrant officer tradition and heritage. Perhaps someone can find some historic information on the warrant rank and develop something that represents past, present and future. Thom, CW4
Thom Edinger
May 05, 1999 I have attached the sample rank insignia, both dress and subdued versions. I have also printed life size versions and tested them on a uniform with good results. They are distinguishable from quite a distance. Thom, CW4
Thom Edinger
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30 April 1999
If we want to be both Contemporary and Traditional at the same time, we might want to consider the attached which simply switches the normally black CW4 blocks to the traditional Brown "Mine Planter" color. It's a different and definitely distinctive look. The Brown (traditional) and the Gold Star (contemporary) blend may be the way to go. The brown color would sure be a conversational piece that would allow better understanding of the heritage of the Corp. Just some food for thought. |
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May 06, 1999
Looking at the recommendations provided by Mr. Edinger, may I suggest the second one minus the star. The first example leaves us with the problem of recognition, from a distance it will appear as a 1st LT. The second example with star relates too much to the SGM insignia. The third appears to "commissioned," a General? The silver base with a solid black insert maintains the Warrant Officer insignia and is distinctive enough to be recognized as a CW5. For heraldry I would consider a brown insert to be further distinctive and reflect the WO history. CW4
Michael R. Smith
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May 06, 1999
The one with the single star on black line is our favorite too. One of our instructors suggested the single gold star with two black squares on each side would look better yet. Vincent J Nichols CW5
Vincent J. Nichols
DSN: 687-4587, CML: (804)734-4587
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May 07, 1999 19:51:52 EDT
I think the design should be simple like the other four WO ranks. How about a silver diamond with five black squares? |
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May 10, 1999
After reading all of the traffic about a new CW5 rank insignia for the past few weeks I'll throw in my nickel's worth. When the issue first came up some years ago I thought that the CW5 insignia should be the WO eagle. I still like this alternative. As the senior warrant officer in the Transportation Corps (and a ship master) I kind of liked the stripes on the sleeves that were worn by the Mine Planter Service Warrants but that does not fit with the Army uniform of today. With the use of the WO eagle - in SILVER - as the CW5 rank insignia, we would wear the eagle on both collars for the BDUs (subdued) on both shoulder epaulets for class A & B shirts and pin on both shoulders for the class A coat in silver. The WO eagle would be worn on the BDU cap (silver), helmet cover (subdued) and the garrison cap (silver). The only new items that would need to be made is the dress blue shoulder boards and the shirt epaulets. Mess dress blues would have the WO eagle on the sleeve. This solution would: (1) be distinctive [not confused with a 1LT or a CW4]; (2) be simple and already recognized as a WO emblem; (3) be cheap [for the Army and the CW5's]. CW5
Ken Gilman
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May 10, 1999
An idea I heard someone speak of was the silver pentagon with 5 black dots -- one at each corner. CW4
Gregg A. Joffrion
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May 24, 1999
Another variation of the same idea would be to place five black dots in a row (vertically) down the center of the silver pentagon. Once again, easily recognized from a distance and this design is even more in line with the current theme of the corps' insignia. CW4
Gregg A. Joffrion
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June 9, 1999
This is my suggestion for CW5 rank, a black star on a silver bar. This maintains consistency with the commissioned and enlisted insignia. The star would represent the senior rank in all three rank structures. I think that simplicity has a lot going for it. Often the more elaborate is not as effective or attractive as the plainer design. CW3 Mark A. Pfenning
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June 13, 1999
Here is yet another suggestion for CW5 rank. This design maintains the traditional by narrowing the boxes to allow five to fit. It incorporates the new with the addition of the star. MW4 can retain the “hollow four box” design. Specific instruction required so star is worn appropriately. Pointing up on hat, pointing in on collar, creation of a left and right shoulder board so star points forward…. CW5
Jim Burnell
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June 22, 1999
Although the inclusion of stars is not my preference for the rank of CW5 on either of these insignia, I wanted to point out how both designs provide flexibility for future change. By using either design 13 or 14, if ever a new insignia is needed, we have, what I consider, a good solution. CW4
Gregg A. Joffrion
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