A sunburst rests upon the shoulder of the drum major and is similar to the one found on the state flag and seal of Illinois. The shoulder sleeve insignia (SSI) of the Illinois Army National Guard breaks the light blue field and is prominently featured with its tab. Below the SSI are four oak sprigs surrounding a lyre, the insignia of an Army musician. The four oak sprigs represent the four Illinois National Guard musicians that were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions of valor during the Civil War.