Reserve Officers' Training Corps Cadet Command, US Army

RESERVE OFFICERS' TRAINING CORPS CADET COMMAND, US ARMY

(Shoulder Sleeve Insignia)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia: A shield arced at top and bottom 3 1/2 inches (8.89cm) in height and 2 1/2 inches (6.35cm) in width, consisting of a field divided quarterly yellow and black and thereon at upper right, a yellow Lamp of Knowledge enflamed; at lower left, a yellow Trojan helmet; and diagonally across the yellow quarters, a black sword point up, all between two yellow panels outlined black and inscribed in black letters 5/16 inch (.79cm) in height, "LEADERSHIP" at top and "EXCELLENCE" below, all within a 1/8 inch (.32cm) black border.

Distinctive Unit Insignia: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86cm) in height consisting of a shield blazoned as follows: Quarterly Or and Sable, in the second and third quarter respectively a lamp of knowledge and a Greek warrior's helmet of the first; overall in bend a sword of the second. Attached at bottom and sides of the shield a black scroll with three folds inscribed "LEADERSHIP" at left and "EXCELLENCE" at right in gold letters, the central fold gold

Origin/meaning

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia: The shield symbolizes the Army mission of national defense and is divided into quarters representing the four traditional military science courses comprising Senior ROTC curriculum. The sword signifies courage, gallantry, and self-sacrifice intrinsic to the profession of arms. The lamp denotes the pursuit of knowledge, higher learning, and the partnership of Army ROTC with American colleges and universities. The Greek helmet is symbolic of the ancient civilization concept of the warrior scholar. The motto "LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE" expresses the ultimate responsibility to the nation.

Distinctive Unit Insignia: The shield symbolizes the Army mission of national defense and is divided into quarters representing the four traditional military science courses comprising Senior ROTC curriculum. The sword signifies courage, gallantry, and self-sacrifice intrinsic to the profession of arms. The lamp denotes the pursuit of knowledge, higher learning, and the partnership of Army ROTC with American colleges and universities. The Greek helmet is symbolic of the ancient civilization concept of the warrior scholar. The motto "LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE" expresses the ultimate responsibility to the nation.

The Shoulder Sleeve Insignia was originally approved 28 April 1986 for the U.S. Army ROTC Cadet Command and U.S. Army SROTC Cadets. On 28 January 1993 the insignia was amended to add metric measurements and subdued colors. The Distinctive Unit Insignia was approved on 22 August 1986.

Literature: Images from Wikimedia Commons. Information from The Institute of Heraldry, US Army.

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