A rectangular shield shaped embroidered item, the round at the base, blazon as follows: Argent, on a bend sinister Vert (Emerald Green), a bobcats head affronte of the first, detailed Sable.  Attached at the top, a white scroll inscribed OHIO in light green; all within a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) black border. Overall dimensions are 3 inches (7.62 cm) in height and 2 1/8 inches (5.40 cm) in width.

Green and white are the universitys colors. The bobcat is the mascot for Ohio University, denoting the significant animal in the area.

The first shoulder sleeve insignia was approved on 7 August 1972.  It was amended to include a manufacturing drawing and update the cable numbers on 17 April 1996, it is currently amended to update the manufacturing drawings on 23 July 2015.  (TIOH Drawing Number A-10S-133)

The design, based upon that of the Ohio State Seal, which is used by the University, refers to the State history.  The arrows allude to Indian warfare, the wheat to agriculture, and the sun rising from behind mountains indicates that Ohio was the first state west of the Alleghenies.  The number of arrows and ears of wheat indicate that it was the seventeenth state to enter the Union.  The motto, taken from that of the University is considered particularly appropriate for the ROTC unit in view of the first meaning of the word Virtus (Having strength or courage).

The shoulder loop insignia was approved on 20 August 1964, it is currently amended to update the manufacturing drawings, description and symbolism on 23 July 2015.