Which insignia corresponds to the W-1 pay grade?

• A. Gold Background and 2 Scarlet Markings
• B. Gold Background and 3 Scarlet Markings
• C. Silver Background and 2 Scarlet Markings
• D. Silver Background and 3 Scarlet Markings

Answer: (A)

W-1 is the entry-level warrant officer rank, and its insignia are designed to be distinctive through color and the number of markings. The correct insignia uses a gold background with two scarlet markings. The gold background signals the warrant officer category, while the two scarlet marks distinguish the W-1 grade from higher warrant grades (which would have a different number of red markings, such as three). The other options either use a silver background or a different number of scarlet markings, which align with different ranks rather than W-1.