As the nation's premier undergraduate fraternal
organization, the National Society of Pershing Rifles has been aiding in
the development of the nation's most able leaders since 1894. As
proclaimed by General of the Armies of the United States John Joseph
Pershing, patron and founder of the National Society of Pershing Rifles,
the purpose of the organization is 'to develop to the highest degree
possible outstanding traits of leadership, military science, military
bearing, and discipline in the framework of a military oriented,
honorary fraternity.'
'The purpose of the National Society of
Pershing Rifles is to develop, to the highest degree possible,
outstanding traits of leadership, military science, military bearing,
and discipline within the framework of a military oriented, honorary
fraternity.'
—General of the Armies John J. Pershing
Overview
At its core, the National Society of Pershing Rifles, or P/R, is a
coeducational civilian organization, geared towards students enrolled in
US-based institutions of higher education. The organization was founded
in 1891 by then-Lieutenant John J. Pershing, as a means of increasing
the motivation and esprit de corps of the cadets in the military
department at the University of Nebraska, where Pershing served as the
Professor of Military Science.
With trick rifle drill as its initial reason for existence, it is easy
to see why a group of men who trained extensively together quickly
bonded into a fraternal organization; in a few short years, the Pershing
Rifles became one of the most prominent organizations in the Nebraska
military and social framework. The organization was renowned for
excellence both on and off the drill field, and membership was
considered a great military honor.
The Society has had several ups and downs over the past century, but
membership in the Pershing Rifles still denotes military and academic
excellence. Today's Society consists of members spread across all three
services: about 85% are enrolled in Army ROTC, about 10% are Air Force
cadets, and a handful are in Naval ROTC/Marine Option. Somewhere around
five percent of our members are civilians, although a significant number
of those individuals have spent time in some form of ROTC.
Unlike the Arnold Air or Semper Fi Societies, Pershing Rifles is not
directly affiliated with or biased towards any particular military
service-although our concentration in Army ROTC may be due to the lack
of a similar, solely Army-oriented organization.
Structure
As a function of its military roots, the Society's structure closely
resembles a scaled-down version of our nation's armed forces. There are
three levels of command: national, regional, and local. Only one unit
exists at the national level; Pershing Rifles National Headquarters is
stationed at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, and is commanded by
a Pershing Rifles O-8. The National Commander and his/her staff are
directly superior to 12 Pershing Rifles Regiments, each of which is
commanded by a Pershing Rifles O-6. Regimental command units, where
active, are staffed by members of the respective Regiment, and provide
administrative and operational support for the Companies under their
command. Pershing Rifles Companies are the foundation of the Society,
and are commanded by a Pershing Rifles O-3. Today's Companies average
about fifteen members, each holding a grade appropriate to their
assignment and time in service. Ranks are determined by each
individual's service branch; for example, if the National Commander is
enrolled in Army ROTC, he/she would hold the rank of P/R Major General.
Were he/she in Naval ROTC, his/her rank would be Pershing Rifles Rear
Admiral.
It is noteworthy that a Rifleman's rank is the only way in which you can
tell their service branch. In all other aspects, Riflemen are
service-independent, using the framework of the Society as their medium,
which promotes inter-service relationships when our members graduate and
receive their commissions.
Opportunities
Once an individual has attained membership in Pershing Rifles there are
a number of options open to them, the most visible of which is usually
the precision trick rifle drill team that most Companies field. In
addition to Society-sponsored competitions, most drill teams participate
in community events. Riflemen provide honor guards, saber arches, color
guards, and more. Some events that Companies have participated in
include: Presidential Inauguration Parades; Military Unit Re-Initiation
Ceremonies; Honor Guards for ranking military, church, and civilian
officials; Emergency Medical Training for community civilians.
The Society also affords its members an amazing array of leadership
opportunities. At the Company level members have the opportunity to
serve in any capacity, from First Sergeant to Drill Team Commander to
Commanding Officer. In addition, since Riflemen generally have more
extensive military training than their peers, they are often found
serving as the example for their fellow cadets. This paves the way for
greater interaction with the cadre, and is also part of the reason that
many Riflemen hold high leadership positions in their ROTC detachment.
The Regimental and National command units are also staffed by Active
Riflemen, offering a level of leadership that no ROTC can match.
The goals of the National Society of Pershing Rifles closely mirror
those of all branches of ROTC. In short: "ROTC creates leaders;
Pershing Rifles helps create the best leaders."
Back to top
 |
