On a rectangular shield arched convexly at top and bottom, with a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) blue border, consisting of six alternating scarlet and blue horizontal stripes with scarlet at top and blue at bottom, a white silhouette of a patriot soldier holding a rifle between the inscription FRANCIS "MARION arcing above in white letters 5/16 inch (.79 cm) in height and COLLEGE arcing in base in white letters 5/16 inch (.79 cm) in height. The overall dimensions are 3 1/2 inches (8.89 cm) in height and 2 1/2 inches (6.35 cm) in width.
Red, white and blue are the colors associated with the school. Red and blue is a representation of the zeal and perseverance exhibited by the cadets in pursuit of their academic career. The Revolutionary War soldier is symbolic of General Francis Marion, a hero of South Carolina from that war, and for whom the school is named.
Background: The shoulder sleeve insignia was authorized 21 October 1988 currently amended to update the manufactured drawing on 14 May 2014. (TIOH Drawing Number A-10S-39)