Per fess engrailed Argent and Azure, a demi-lion naissant Proper armed and langed Gules, debruised and fretted by the arms of George Washington (two barrulets beneath three mullets fesswise in chief of the third) in base as many garbs two and one Or.
Issuant from a wreath of the colors Argent and Azure, a ship's side wheel Gules, between three stylized waves to dexter and an ice flow to sinister all Proper, enarched above the wheel five mullets, the two outer of the first edged of the second and the inner three Or, ensigned above the wheel a horse's head couped Celeste detailed of the second and bridled of the third.
On a tri-folded scroll Azure trimmed Argent and Gules, doubled of the like, inscribed "RESPONSIVE RESOURCEFUL READY" in Gold letters.
Dark blue and gold are traditional colors associated with the United States Navy. The division of the shield (a fess engrailed) heraldically depicts waves and represents The Delaware River which George Washington and his troops crossed. The three garbs are taken from the Seal of the City of Trenton, New Jersey. The Hessian lion interlaced with the arms of George Washington represents the victory at Trenton where Washington and his troops surprised and defeated the Hessian garrison.
A horse head is depicted on the Seal of the City of Trenton, New Jersey and here represents the American forces crossing over the ice filled waters of the Delaware in advance of the river icing over. The ship's wheel represents the first USS Trenton, a 3900-ton steam frigate, commissioned in February 1877 which was the largest warship begun for the Navy in the years between the Civil War and the beginning of "New Navy" steel ship construction in 1883. The five gold stars represent the progression of the USNS Trenton being the third ship to bear the name Trenton and the fifth ship of its class (Spearhead class), Joint High Speed Vessel.
The coat of arms as blazoned in full color on a white circular field within a dark blue designation band, edged with a gold roped border and bearing the name "USNS TRENTON" at the top and "T-EPF 5" at the base.