Heraldry

Army ROTC at Loyola University Maryland Logos, Insignias, and Colors

Table of Contents

• Battalion Color
• Shoulder Loop Insignia
• Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
• Organizational Logo
• Greyhound Ranger Challenge Team Logo
• U.S. Army Cadet Command (ROTC) Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
• U.S. Army Cadet Command (ROTC) Distinctive Unit Insignia
• The Greyhound Battalion Archive Initiative

Battalion Color

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In the United States Army, most Regiments, Battalions of Regiments, and Table of Organization and Equipment (TOE) separate Battalions possess a stand of “Colors”. The first is the National Color (i.e., the American flag) which is 36 inches by 48 inches in size trimmed with a 2.5-inch-wide gold fringe. The second is the Regimental, or Battalion, Color. The Regimental or Battalion Color is the same size as the National Color. The background color of each varies with the branch of service for that Regiment or Battalion (e.g., blue for Infantry, yellow for Armor and Cavalry, red for Artillery, etc.).

Battalions are authorized a coat of arms for display on their Organizational Color. A complete coat of arms consists of a shield displayed on the breast of the eagle from the Great Seal of the United States, a crest which appears over the eagle's head, a motto displayed on the scroll held in the eagle's beak, and the Battalion's name on a scroll below. The Battalion's number or designation is affixed in the upper right-hand corner of the fly.

As well as being powerful symbols of Regimental history and loyalty, Colors had an important practical function in the past. On smoky, dusty, and chaotic battlefields, they provided a rallying point for troops, helping to uphold both morale and command cohesion. Losing the Colors to the enemy was the greatest disgrace that could befall a Regiment, as it symbolized complete defeat. Correspondingly, capturing an enemy’s Colors was among the most glorious accomplishments a soldier could achieve in battle. Many would fight ferociously, or even recklessly, to do so.

Components

The Greyhound Battalion's Color is 36 inches by 48 inches in size trimmed with a 2.5-inch-wide yellow fringe. Its background color is National Flag blue underneath white scroll and embroidery elements to reflect the unit’s branch affiliation with the Infantry branch. The Infantry has made two complete cycles between white and light blue. During the Revolutionary War, white facings were prescribed for the Infantry. White was the color used for Infantry until 1851, at which time light or Saxony blue was prescribed for the pompon and for the trimming on Infantry horse furniture. In 1857, the color was prescribed as sky blue. In 1886, the linings of capes and trouser stripes were prescribed to be white. However, in 1902, the light blue was prescribed again. In 1917, the cape was still lined with light blue, but the Infantry trouser stripes were of white as were the chevrons for enlisted men. The Infantry color is light blue; however, Infantry Regimental flags and guidons have been National Flag blue since 1835. White is used as a secondary color on the guidons for letters, numbers, and insignia.

The coat of arms consists of a shield blazoned with Vert (Irish Green) and a bend Argent (Silver Grey). Above is a greyhound courant Argent (Silvery Grey). Attached below the shield is a silver scroll coming to a downward point in the center, inscribed “LOYOLA UNIVERSITY” in Green letters. Green and Grey are the university’s colors. The bend denotes protection. The greyhound is the university’s mascot.

The coat of arms is displayed on the breast of the eagle from the Great Seal of the United States. Within its right talon, the eagle holds an olive branch bearing 13 leaves and 13 fruit. Within its left talon, the eagle grasps a bundle of 13 arrows. The number 13 represents the 13 colonies. Together, the items in the eagle's talons stand for war and peace. 

Over the eagle's head is the lamp of knowledge in Or (Gold). The crest reflects the heraldic connection to U.S. Army ROTC Cadet Command. Below the crest is a ribbon of six in Grey and Green, reflecting the colors of Loyola University Maryland. A scroll is held in the eagle's beak with Loyola’s motto, "STRONG TRUTHS WELL LIVED", reflecting the university’s core Jesuit values since its founding in 1852 of academic excellence, care and focus on the whole person (cura personalis), integrity and honesty, diversity, community, justice, service, leadership, discernment, and constant challenge to improve. Below the eagle is a scroll with gold embroidery inscribed with the designation of the organization, "GREYHOUND BATTALION". The Battalion's designation, "ROTC", is affixed in gold and white embroidery the upper right-hand corner of the fly.

Shoulder Loop Insignia

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The shoulder loop insignia is a type of uniform decoration used to display symbols of status or affiliation, typically worn on the shoulder straps of a uniform. These insignia can be made of various materials, including metal or cloth, and are attached to the shoulder loops or epaulets of military uniforms.

From Loyola College in Maryland’s founding in 1852 to 1971, the institution was an all-male school. From the establishment of Loyola College in Maryland’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program in 1952 until 1969, it was mandatory for all students to participate in Army ROTC within their first two academic years. This shoulder loop insignia was originally authorized for Loyola College in Maryland on October 17, 1952, by the United States Institute of Heraldry. It was worn on the military dress uniform by all students at Loyola College in Maryland between 1952 and 1969 to signify their affiliation with the organization and continues to be worn by voluntary ROTC students today. The shoulder loop insignia was amended in size to 1 and 3/16 inches in height on March 16, 1982.

Its original inscription read, "LOYOLA COLLEGE". The shoulder loop insignia was amended on August 19, 2009, to reflect the designation of "LOYOLA UNIVERSITY" and rendered with colors of Green and Grey accurate to the university’s colors.

The shoulder loop insignia is a gold-colored metal and enamel shield shaped device, 1 and 3/16 inches in height, blazoned originally with Vert (Irish Green) and a bend Argent (Silver Grey). Above is a greyhound courant Argent (Silvery Grey). Attached below the shield is a silver scroll coming to a downward point in the center, inscribed “LOYOLA UNIVERSITY” in Green letters. Green and Grey are the university’s colors. The bend denotes protection. The greyhound is the university’s mascot. Two renditions of the shoulder loop insignia are displayed, one containing the original colors of Irish Green and Silver Grey, and another reflecting the color amendments made on August 19, 2009.

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia

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The shoulder sleeve insignia is a distinctive cloth patch worn by Soldiers in the United States Army. It is typically displayed on the left sleeve of the uniform just below the shoulder seam. The shoulder sleeve insignia serves to identify the primary headquarters to which a Soldier is assigned, often reflecting the unit's history, mission, or function. These patches are part of the official heraldry of the United States Army and are symbolic, incorporating assorted colors and designs that have specific meanings related to the unit's identity.

Loyola College in Maryland’s historic shoulder sleeve insignia was originally authorized on February 9, 1982, by the United States Institute of Heraldry. It was amended to add subdued colors and metric measurements on November 7, 1991. It was amended again on August 8, 2014, to reflect the designation of “LOYOLA UNIVERSITY”. 

The shoulder sleeve insignia is a grey disc shaped embroidered item consisting of a yellow cross bottony throughout, surmounted by a green stylized Evergreen tree, all within a green circular designation band, edged with a 1/8 inch (0.32 cm) green border and inscribed at top “LOYOLA” and below “UNIVERSITY” in silver grey. The overall diameter is 3 inches (7.62 cm).

The Grey and Green symbolize the university’s colors. The cross bottony and Evergreen tree are taken from the seal of the university. The Evergreen tree on a field of grey represents Loyola’s Evergreen campus. The cross bottony characterized by trefoils at the ends of each arm symbolize the university’s Jesuit roots and honor the university’s location by emulating the cross bottony within the flag, coat of arms, and seal of the state of Maryland. 

Organizational Logo

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The organizational logo has undergone several revisions and was approved on March 25, 2025, pursuant to provisions set forth by the United States Institute of Heraldry. This effort ensured that the logo was aligned with the history and heraldry of Loyola University Maryland and Towson University.

Students at Loyola College in Maryland initially chose Blue and Gold as the university’s colors, later changing them to Blue and Grey after the American Civil War. In 1922, as Loyola College in Maryland moved to the “Evergreen” campus and began developing its athletic teams, the student body decided to adopt the official colors of Green and Grey.

The organizational logo consists of a circular disc comprised of elements in Green, Grey, Or (Gold), Sable (Black), and White. A Sable (black) banner outlined in Grey surrounds the disc with the White inscriptions, “LOYOLA”, “TOWSON”, “ARMY ROTC”, and a five-pointed star. 

The colors of Or (Gold), Sable (Black), and White represent the ingredients of gunpowder: Or for sulfur, Sable for charcoal, and White for saltpeter. The Grey outline symbolizes the historical roots of Loyola College in Maryland after the American Civil War and the Greyhound as the university’s mascot. The origins of the White star trace back to World War II when all U.S. military vehicles were emblazoned with a White star to identify Allied vehicles and prevent friendly fire. The center consists of a field divided quarterly in Black and White, representing the four traditional military science courses comprising the Senior ROTC curriculum. A Black sword points up between the two Gold quarters, signifying the courage, gallantry, and self-sacrifice intrinsic to the profession of arms. 

The White quarters bear the historical logos and mascots of Loyola University Maryland and Towson University, honoring the legacy of both institutions. Loyola University Maryland is represented by the colors of Evergreen, Dark Spruce, Grey, and Andrew White. The Greyhound was adopted as Loyola College in Maryland’s mascot in 1927, and represents graceful agility and speed, loyalty, and intelligence. The Greyhound is named “Iggy”, a moniker derived from St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus. Towson University is represented by the colors of Black, Gold, Graphite, and Athletic Silver. The Tiger was adopted as Towson’s mascot in 1962 and officially named “Doc” in 2003 in honor of Donald “Doc” Minnegan, former athletics director and sports coach who established many of Towson’s sports programs during his 45-year tenure.

Underneath the sword is a Black inscription of the Roman numeral “MCMLV”, representing the year 1955 as the first commissioning class of the Greyhound Battalion. The logo is circular, symbolizing the cyclical nature of the organization as it nurtures students to success, as graduates become influential leaders of their communities and country, and as alumni give back to the next generation of students. The logo is 4 inches by 4 inches, symbolizing students' simultaneous four-year pursuit of academics and ROTC as Student Athlete Leaders.

Greyhound Ranger Challenge Team Logo

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The United States Army Rangers have influenced ROTC’s leadership development methodology since its inception. Unofficially beginning in the 1950s, officially recognized in 1962, and continuing through the 1970s and 1980s, many Army ROTC programs formed Ranger Companies—Cadet-led, Cadre-supervised groups (clubs) within ROTC modeled on the training and ethos of the U.S. Army Rangers. These Companies provided highly motivated Cadets with training in small-unit tactics, physical conditioning, land navigation, patrolling, and other critical Soldier skills lacking in the general ROTC curriculum. These Ranger Companies, driven by the Vietnam War, helped prepare many Cadets into successful Commissioned Officers with impactful careers during a time of conflict. While the precise date of the establishment of Ranger Companies within Loyola ROTC remains unclear, the program maintains historic artifacts of Ranger Challenge guidons (unit flags) of Alpha Company and Bravo Company from this era.

To formalize this spirit of elite training and competition, the Ranger Challenge was officially established in 1986 under the direction of Major General Robert E. Wagner, the first Commanding General of U.S. Army Cadet Command. The competition was designed to sharpen leadership skills, build unit cohesion, and challenge Cadets both mentally and physically in a team-based format. Each ROTC program within Cadet Command was tasked with designating a program-level Ranger Challenge team. Each Brigade within Cadet Command was tasked with organizing annual Ranger Challenge competitions at the regional level, with events such as physical fitness tests, weapons proficiency testing, construction of one-rope bridge assemblies for river crossings, land navigation, and timed ruck marches.

By the early 1990s, the top-performing Ranger Challenge teams from each Brigade began receiving invitations to compete in the Sandhurst Military Skills Competition at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point (USMA), which was originally founded in 1967 as an internal USMA event and expanded in the 1990s to include ROTC and international military academy teams. Today, Ranger Challenge remains one of the most prestigious training and assessment opportunities within Army ROTC, fostering tactical excellence, leadership under stress, and the Warrior Ethos long associated with the Ranger legacy.

The Greyhound Battalion’s Ranger Challenge logo has undergone several revisions and was approved on March 25, 2025, pursuant to provisions set forth by the United States Institute of Heraldry. This effort ensured that the logo was aligned with the history and heraldry of Loyola University Maryland its ROTC program.
The logo consists of a Sable (Black) cloth triparted arced scroll with narrow Gold (Or) fimbriations overall inscribed “RANGER CHALLENGE” and “1952” in Gold letters. Above is a Sable (Black) cloth scroll inscribed “GREYHOUND”. “1952” signifies the year of the program’s establishment. 

Underneath the scrolls is a Gold color metal and enamel device consisting of a shield divided in half into Evergreen and Grey, the university’s colors. Dividing the shield are four stripes in Gold, Blue, Dark Spruce, and Dark Blue, representing the ROTC unit’s host and cross-town institutions of Towson University, Goucher College, Loyola University Maryland, and Notre Dame of Maryland University, respectively.

The colors of Or (Gold) and Sable (Black) represent the ingredients of gunpowder: Or for sulfur and Sable for charcoal. The Grey symbolizes the historical roots of Loyola College in Maryland after the American Civil War and the Greyhound as the university’s mascot. Evergreen represents Loyola’s Evergreen campus.
The shield bears two wolves standing over a kettle from the coat of arms of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Known as “Los Lobos de Loyola”, this heraldic depiction represents the generosity of the St. Ignatius of Loyola family, who, after feeding family, retainers, and Soldiers, had enough food to feed even the wild animals.

The center of the shield bears a Black unsheathed Fairbairn-Sykes dagger outlined in Grey, representing the historic influence of the United States Special Operations Forces and Army Rangers on the formation of Ranger Challenge teams and symbolizing total military preparedness.

U.S. Army Cadet Command (ROTC) Shoulder Sleeve Insignia

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The shoulder sleeve insignia was originally approved on Apr 28, 1986, for the U.S. Army ROTC Cadet Command and U.S. Army Senior ROTC Cadets. On Jan 28, 1993, the insignia was amended to add metric measurements and subdued colors.

The shoulder sleeve insignia is comprised of a shield arced at the top and bottom 3 1/2 inches (8.89cm) in height and 2 1/2 inches (6.35cm) in width, consisting of a field divided quarterly in yellow and black. On the upper right is a yellow Lamp of Knowledge enflamed. On the lower left is a yellow Trojan helmet. A black sword points up diagonally across the yellow quarters. The shield is surrounded by two yellow panels outlined in black and inscribed in black letters 5/16 inch (.79cm) in height, "LEADERSHIP" above and "EXCELLENCE" below, all within a 1/8 inch (.32cm) black border.

The shield symbolizes the Army mission of national defense and is divided into quarters, representing the four traditional military science courses comprising the Senior ROTC curriculum. The sword signifies courage, gallantry, and self-sacrifice intrinsic to the profession of arms. The lamp denotes the pursuit of knowledge, higher learning, and the partnership of Army ROTC with American colleges and universities. The Greek helmet is symbolic of the ancient civilization concept of the warrior scholar. The motto "LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE" expresses the ultimate responsibility of Army ROTC in the discharge of its moral responsibility to the nation.

U.S. Army Cadet Command (ROTC) Distinctive Unit Insignia

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A distinctive unit insignia is a metallic heraldic badge or device worn by Soldiers in the United States Army. Its design is usually derived from the unit's coat of arms and is worn to signify the wearer's unit affiliation. Distinctive unit insignias are designed in accordance with military specifications and typically feature symbols and mottos that reflect the unit's history and values.
This distinctive unit insignia was approved on Aug 22, 1986, for the U.S. Army ROTC Cadet Command.

The distinctive unit insignia is comprised of a gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86cm) in height, consisting of a shield. The shield is blazoned quarterly in Or (gold) and Sable (black). The second and third quarters are adorned by a Lamp of Knowledge and a Greek warrior's helmet, respectively. Overall in bend is a sword of the second. Attached at the bottom and sides of the shield is a black scroll with three folds inscribed "LEADERSHIP" at the left and "EXCELLENCE" at the right in gold letters, and the central fold gold.

The shield symbolizes the Army mission of national defense and is divided into quarters, representing the four traditional military science courses comprising the Senior ROTC curriculum. The sword signifies courage, gallantry, and self-sacrifice intrinsic to the profession of arms. The lamp denotes the pursuit of knowledge, higher learning, and the partnership of Army ROTC with American colleges and universities. The Greek helmet is symbolic of the ancient civilization concept of the warrior scholar. The motto "LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE" expresses the ultimate responsibility of Army ROTC in the discharge of its moral responsibility to the nation.

The Greyhound Battalion Archive Initiative

For more information, please visit the website of The Institute of Heraldry. We are actively cataloguing over 73 years of documents about the Greyhound Battalion to digitally preserve its history for future generations. If you are an alum with information about the history of this organization and wish to contribute to this archive initiative, please contact Master Sergeant Gene Zhang at gyzhang@loyola.edu.