This is a graphical presentation of the Army Warrant Officer rank insignia.

As a result of a study to improve the warrant officer insignia of grade to make it easier to identify the grade, new insignia was approved by the Chief of Staff Army on June 10, 1970 with an effective date for wear of July1, 1972. Based on anticipated change in legislation to authorize two additional warrant grades, new insignia for W5 and W6 were also approved by the Chief of Staff in 1970. The insignia was developed but never authorized for wear for W5 and W6.

With passage of the Warrant Officer Management Act on December 5, 1991,the grade of CW5 was established. On March 28, 1991, the Chief of Staff approved continued use of the Master Warrant Officer insignia for Chief Warrant Officer W5.

(information from the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry  .)