On a brown circular shaped embroidered item edged with a 1/16 inch (.16 cm) yellow border, a yellow demi-horse head, to the right, all within a red circular designation band edged with a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) yellow border, inscribed at top “WESTERN MICHIGAN” and at base “UNIVERSITY” in yellow.  The overall diameter is 3 inches (7.62 cm).

Brown and gold are the University’s colors. The horse’s head denotes the school’s mascot.

The shoulder sleeve insignia was originally authorized 25 June 1957, it was cancelled on 25 February 1968 due to a new design. Currently being amended to update the manufacturing drawings on 29 November 2019.

On a shield shaped gold metal and epoxied device 1 3/16 inches (3.02cm) in height blazoned as follows: Gules, a horse’s head couped at neck Or, detailed of the first. Attached to the base of the shield, gold scroll, with the Latin inscription “CIVES ARMA PORTANT” in red letters; which translates to “Citizens Bear Arms."   

Brown and gold are the University’s colors. The horse’s head denotes the school’s mascot.

The shoulder loop insignia was originally authorized 13 March 1957, it was amended on 8 January 1969 and also on 27 July 1984 to correct the metal from silver to gold. Currently being amended to update the manufacturing drawings  on 29 November 2019.