Should the CW5 rank be changed to something more recognizable?

CW5 Andrew J. Foreman — Tue, 31 May 2016 10:44:59 -0400

Due to the increasingly joint nature of operations within the DoD, and the expanded use of our most senior Warrant Officers in joint operations validated the need to standardize CW5 rank insignia. The Marine Corps and the Navy have both adopted CW5 bar with the stripe. Pic is of suggested new CW5 rank. It is a throwback to past WO Ranks, adds star (penile indicator) and is not mistaken for LT bar

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made May 31 at 2016 11:00 AM

Col Joseph Lenertz — Tue, 31 May 2016 11:00:43 -0400

I would see the star and salute. CW5s would be getting saluted by most every O-6.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2016 3:02 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 May 2016 15:02:38 -0400

The Star and the Wreath is a bit to Soviet looking

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made May 31 at 2016 3:11 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Tue, 31 May 2016 15:11:14 -0400

CW5 Andrew J. Foreman I see no reason to change the current rank insignia. The "joint assignment" argument is not a valid reason to do so, unless all the ranks across all the services are standardized.

One thing for sure, the use of stars for WO ranks makes no sense.

Response by CW3 Stephen Mills made May 31 at 2016 3:43 PM

CW3 Stephen Mills — Tue, 31 May 2016 15:43:52 -0400

Right, we all need recognizable rank around here so we can tell who is in charge! Believe me, if you are really in charge you don't need recognizable rank to let people know.

My rank was how much I got paid each month. I earned any respect I received as a soldier, a leader and a good person, If I was in charge you knew it. I rarely wore rank even in uniform. Never had a problem, so my answer is no. Leave it alone. If anything bring back the squashed bug.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2016 8:16 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 May 2016 20:16:07 -0400

I like the rounding out of the rank and border (no confusion as a Lt bar) but why change the time honored pips, and the solid line is very recognizable, CWO5 is the only one to have anything like it. Update sure, but keep with tradition also.

Response by CW3 Jared Hickox made May 31 at 2016 9:33 PM

CW3 Jared Hickox — Tue, 31 May 2016 21:33:50 -0400

I personally believe the depicted ranks above are horrible. We are not General Officers nor are we Command Sergeants Major. Our rank should not attempt to emulate those ranks, in any way. We should keep things as they are and not be envious of Officers or Enlisted members. We are Warrant Officers. If we are required to change, it should change to the Eagle Rising. That, in my opinion, would be the only acceptable change. I remember being a Jr. Enlisted Soldier looking to the Eagle Rising for answers to questions no one else could answer.

Response by SFC Jeramy Smith made May 31 at 2016 9:40 PM

SFC Jeramy Smith — Tue, 31 May 2016 21:40:42 -0400

Why? Is the current rank broke? What will this cost taxpayers? And the examples shown are...well let's say, not good.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2016 1:11 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 01:11:20 -0400

I remember about 9 years ago when I pinned on WO1 there were discussions about changing the CW5 rank and using the Eagle Rising as a CW6 rank if that rank was ever officially created, but that resembled more of the O6 full bird. Why don't they just make the CW5 rank consist of 5 blocks? What is the biggest argument for the change, because the current CW5 rank closely resembles the 1LT rank? Is there more to the discussion that I'm missing?

Response by SSG Richard Reilly made Jun 3 at 2016 10:33 AM

SSG Richard Reilly — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 10:33:07 -0400

those images might get mistaken for a GO.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Jan 11 at 2020 1:10 AM

MSG John Duchesneau — Sat, 11 Jan 2020 01:10:39 -0500

No. God doesn't need a rank insignia and neither do Master Warrant Officers. Sometimes less is more. MW5 is one of only three ranks in the military (the others being E-9 and O-10) where NOBODY messes with you. If you want to change the Army MW5 insignia - maybe try a black star on the silver bar.

Response by CWO5 Mark Nethers made Apr 9 at 2022 11:13 AM

CWO5 Mark Nethers — Sat, 09 Apr 2022 11:13:05 -0400

Horrible designs. Absolutely nothing wrong with the current insignia.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2023 9:55 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 09:55:12 -0400

Todays W5 rank is mistaken of a 1st LT. I’ve had officers tell Chief Warrant Officer 5’s they were the old west LT they have ever seen. The old CW5 rank was way better.