An equilateral triangle with one angle pointed up and all angles rounded, 2 1/2 inches (6.35 cm) in height overall, having within a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) wide scarlet border a white field on which is centered a disc divided in half vertically with blue at left and scarlet at right bearing at center a white five-pointed star enclosed by a white annulet issuant of four white arrowheads, one each at North, East, South and West.
The triangular shape is suggestive of the tricorn hat of colonial times and refers to the individual readiness of the citizens of that period. Red, white and blue, the national colors, signify the reservists' readiness to defend the nation. The star centered within the annulet represents the U.S. Army Reserve Personnel Center, which provides the central management for all Individual Ready Reservists and coordinates their assignments. The four arrows issuing from the white annulet, simulating a compass, allude to the worldwide assignment locations of the reservists who participate in the program. The blue and red divided disc represents their dual status as civilians and reservists.
The shoulder sleeve insignia was approved on 14 October 1980. It was amended to revise the symbolism on 18 August 1987.