A yellow circular embroidered item 3 1/2 inches (8.89 cm) in diameter overall consisting of a inner blue disc edged with a red Zia Sun symbol, bearing a white stylized sea lion grasping a white sword, encircled by a blue designation band edged with a yellow 1/8 inch (.32 cm) border, inscribed "BATAAN BATTALION" at the top and "NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY" at bottom all in white letters.
Red and white are the school colors. A circular patch with a red Zia sun symbol surrounded by a blue border represents New Mexico. The yellow field and the red symbol signify the colors of Spain; first brought to New Mexico by Spanish explorers in 1540. On New Mexico's flag there is a red sun with rays stretching outward. There are four groups of rays with four rays in each group. This is an ancient sun symbol of the Zia. The sea lion alludes to ties symbolically to the New Mexico National Guard and its veterans of the Bataan Death March. Because of this, the unit is known as the "Bataan Battalion". Yellow denotes honor, a great virtue the cadets highly prize and fiercely maintain. Red signifies courage, a virtue the cadets possess that enables them to accomplish any difficult task presented to them. Blue alludes to loyalty, an attribute the cadets have for each other and their country. White represents perfection something the cadets seek to attain in everything they do.
The shoulder sleeve insignia was originally authorized 22 September 1971. It was amended to reflect the schools' heritage and official DA designation as the Bataan Battalion and update the description and symbolism of the new design on 19 August 2011. (TIOH Drawing Number A-10S-201)