On a purple disc throughout, a white star, bearing a purple silhouette of a lamp of knowledge, all within a white designation band edged with a 1l8 inch (.32 cm) white border, between purple bullets one on each side the inscription STEPHEN F. arcing at top and AUSTIN arcing in base in purple letters.  The overall diameter is 3 inches (7.62 cm).

Purple and white are the colors of the University.  The star is from the seal of the University.  The lamp of knowledge is indicative of learning.

The shoulder sleeve insignia was originally authorized 23 June 1969.  It was amended to include a manufacturing drawing, update description and add cable numbers on 18 February 1999, currently amended to update manufacturing on 15 June 2016. (TIOH Drawing Number A-10S-149)

A silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned:  Per pale Argent, Silver and Gules, a pair of axes saltairewise Purpure and a lamp Argent (Silver) on a chief of the third, a mullet within a wreath of the fourth.  Attached to the shield a circular designation band inscribed in base BE THE BEST in Purple letters.

Purple and white are the university colors.  Red and white reflect the historical Fredonia Republic for which Nacogdoches served as the capital.  The star and wreath symbolize the Republic of Texas of which Stephen F. Austin became one of the founding fathers.  The crossed axes represent the primary toll of the universitys mascot, the lumberjack.  The lamp of knowledge is symbolic of the cadet scholar and symbolizes the partnership of the university and the Army in providing the leaders of the future.

The shoulder loop insignia was originally authorized 20 February 1969.  It was amended  on 30 March 1970 and the design was cancelled due to a new design on 7 March 1996, currently amended to update the manufacturing drawings on 15 June 2016.