On a blue vertical rectangle embroidered item arched convexly at top and bottom, edged with a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) black border, a silver gray shark, ascending from base of the rectangle in an attack position, with blue details, black underside, mouth, nostril and eyeball, white highlights, eye and teeth, in front of a stylized silver gray shoreline, displaying to the left a white crescent moon above a Palmetto tree and to the right a silver gray star. Attached above the rectangle, a white scroll edged with a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) black border inscribed ST. JAMES in blue letters. Attached below the rectangle, a white scroll edged with a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) black border inscribed SHARKS in blue letters. The overall dimensions are 3 1/2 inches (8.89 cm) in height and 2 3/8 inches (6.03 cm) in width.
Columbia blue, black, gray and white are the school colors. Columbia blue is symbolic of the fidelity of cadets as leaders in the school and the community; white represents earnestness to succeed in all endeavors. Black indicates vitality; silver gray signifies humility. The Palmetto tree and crescent moon, adapted from the South Carolina state flag, denotes the home state of the school, in Horry County. The Shark, the schools mascot, reflects the courage and endurance of the cadets during military preparation.
The shoulder sleeve insignia was authorized 22 August 2013