Shoulder Sleeve Insignia (SSI)
The Eastern Kentucky University SROTC program had its SSI authorized on June 25, 1974 by the Institute of Heraldry. SROTC Cadets are authorized to wear school specific patches on the right sleeve of the Army Combat Uniform, traditionally reserved for Soldiers who earn ‘combat badges’. SROTC patches are authorized in Army Regulation 145-1, Chapter 4-6.
The EKU Army ROTC SSI is a shield shaped item with an arched scroll attached above the shield, consisting of a white shield edged with a maroon border, on a maroon mound below a green area, in base surmounting white clouds edged light blue, overall in the vertical center the maroon silhouette of a frontiersman with a rifle. The frontiersman is representative of Daniel Boone who spent a large portion of his life exploring Kentucky. The mountains and clouds represent the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains that are visible from campus. Attached above the shield a white arched scroll edged with a maroon border, inscribed “EASTERN” in maroon letters.
Shoulder Loop Insignia (SLI)
The Eastern Kentucky University SROTC program had its SLI authorized on June 6, 1974 by the Institute of Heraldry.
The EKU Army ROTC SLI is a gold metal and enamel device 1 3/16” in height overall consisting maroon enamel shield on which is a gold color metal and white enamel silhouette of a frontiersman with rifle, standing on gold color metal and white enamel mound within a circular pattern of fifteen white enamel stars. The fifteen stars are representative of Kentucky being incorporated as the 15th state. Attached below the shield a maroon segmented scroll inscribed “HONOS” on the dexter segment “OFFICUM” on the center segment and “PATRIA” on the sinister segment in gold color metal letters. “Honor, Officum, Patria” stands for Duty, Honor, Country; the three characteristics that embody EKU Cadets and Army officers.