A shield shaped embroidered item, edged with a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) yellow border, the top of the shield triple edged yellow, blazoned as follows: Per fesse Gules and Azure, on a fesse Or surmounted by another bendy of the third and of the first, in chief a lion passant of the third. Attached at top an arced yellow scroll, edged with a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) yellow border, inscribed JOHN CARROLL in blue letters. The overall dimensions are 4 inches (10.16 cm) in height and 2 3/8 inches (6.03 cm) in width.
Royal blue and old gold are the universitys colors. The lion on the red background conveys courage.
The shoulder sleeve insignia was originally authorized 3 June 1957. It was amended to change the design and update the description of the new design on 9 February 1978, currently amended to include a manufactured drawing and to add a symbolism on 25 June 2014. (TIOH Drawing Number A-10S-227)