A Gold color metal and enamel device 15/16 inches (2.38 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Azure, an anchor Or; on Gold scrolls above the shield the inscription "STATE OF RHODE ISLAND," and below the shield the motto "HOPE" in Blue letters.
The anchor is taken from the state flag of Rhode Island; HOPE is the state motto and also appears on the flag. The blue of the shield refers to the importance of the sea to Rhode Island in all aspects of its civic and commercial history.
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the State Staff and State Detachment, Rhode Island National Guard on 20 February 1931. It was redesignated for Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, Rhode Island Army National Guard on 3 December 1970. The insignia was redesignated effective 1 October 1982, for Headquarters, State Area Command, Rhode Island Army National Guard. It was redesignated for the Rhode Island Army National Guard Element, Joint Force Headquarters and amended to update the description and add a symbolism effective 1 October 2003.