The majority of men who served as officers in the Continental Army had received a classical education, so, as was customary at the time, they looked to classical history for an appropriate symbol of their endeavors and chose Cincinnatus, the Roman model of the selfless patriot. Cincinnatus was living in poverty in 458 B.C. when he was called to lead a war against the Aequi. As soon as the war ended, Cincinnatus returned to his plow and his poverty. The society extended membership rights to officers who had remained in the army or navy until the end of the war, who had served honorably for at least three years, and those who had died during service. However, each revolutionary officer may be represented by only one membership in the society.
Members receive a silver medal keepsake and an eagle-shaped badge.
The society also offers honorary memberships to men eminent for their patriotism or friendship to the United States. From the creation of the society, the army membership has overwhelmingly dominated representation from the revolutionary navy. In its early years, The Society of the Cincinnati was the subject of nationwide controversy. Some Americans looked with disfavor on the society's close ties with France and believed that such a connection would foster monarchical practices in the United States. The society badge, which had been modelled on British and French orders, was regarded as the first step toward establishing an aristocracy in this country.