The Pershing Rifles is a military fraternal organization for college-level students, founded by then 2nd Lieutenant (later General of the Armies of the United States) John J. Pershing

John J. Pershing

John Joseph "Black Jack" Pershing, GCB , was a general officer in the United States Army who led the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I...

 in 1894 as a drill unit at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Over time, the Pershing Rifles organization was expanded to include several other universities, with companies consisting of drill teams as well as tactical units. Together, these units form what is known today as the National Society of Pershing Rifles.

Founding

In 1891, General Pershing, then a 2LT in Troop L, 6th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Bayard

Fort Bayard National Cemetery

Fort Bayard National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery in the Fort Bayard Historic District, near Silver City, New Mexico. It encompasses , and as of the end of 2005, had 3,732 interments...

, New Mexico

New Mexico

New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...

, became a professor of Military Science and Tactics at the University of Nebraska. Pershing wished to increase the morale and discipline of the battalion there, as well as to increase support for the Cadet Corps throughout the university's staff and community. To this end, he formed a hand-picked company of men, known as Company A, and made them his premier drill unit.

The following year, Company A won the Maiden Competition at the National Competitive Drills held at Omaha

Omaha, Nebraska

Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...

, Nebraska

Nebraska

Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....

, earning the "Omaha Cup" and $1,500 for the group. The spectators were so excited by the event that they left their seats and carried the cadets off the field. In 1893, the special drill company became a fraternal organization bearing the name "Varsity Rifles." In 1894, the organization, in appreciation of the initiative and cooperation of LT. Pershing, changed its name to the "Pershing Rifles." Under Pershing's leadership, the organization won the Army Silver Cup for drill team competition, coming in second place after West Point

United States Military Academy

The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...

. When Pershing left Nebraska in 1895, at the request of a committee he gave to the company a pair of his cavalry breeches. These breeches were cut into small pieces and were worn on the uniform as a sign of membership.

From 1900 to 1911, the Pershing Rifles reached the height of their existence prior to World War I

World War I

World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...

. Membership was a great military honor that continued until 1911. After that date, the organization lost prestige and declined. Its activity suddenly seemed to cease, and the organization became a mere shadow of itself. Its military influence decreased, and its social activities lessened.

Reestablishment

In 1917, conditions became so bad that the organization was disbanded and its records burned. In 1920, the Pershing Rifles were formed again. By 1924, it had regained some of its lost prestige and special drill companies all over the country began to seek admittance into the Pershing Rifles.

The present National Honorary Society of Pershing Rifles owes its existence to Ohio State University

Ohio State University

The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...

 (OSU). In the fall of 1922, a group of advanced course men got together and formed "The President's Guard". This new organization was too loosely-organized and too closely allied to the regular drill for the company to stand alone. On May 13, 1925, it applied for affiliation with the Pershing Rifles; the Nebraska organization refused. The OSU group, seeing the need of a national organization for basic men, threatened to nationalize "The President's Guard" and leave Nebraska out of it if the two organizations could not merge together. The Nebraska organization approved the formal application of the OSU group after a year of negotiations. The Dickman Rifles, organized at the University of Dayton

University of Dayton

The University of Dayton is a private Roman Catholic university operated by the Society of Mary located in Dayton, Ohio...

 to honor Major General Joseph T. Dickman

Joseph T. Dickman

Joseph Theodore Dickman was born in Dayton, Ohio. He attended the University of Dayton and graduated in the class of 1871. In 1881 he graduated from the U.S...

, attended a Pershing Rifles drill competition in 1931. This competition led the Dickman Rifles to merge into the Pershing Rifles.

In 1928, the National Headquarters was established at the University of Nebraska. This laid the foundation for a strong national unit. Over the summer, applications for charters were sent to many universities across the nation. As a result, today there are over 200 units in nine combined regiments. (At one time there were 17 regiments; they have been combined, and only nine remain.) The Regimental Headquarters serve primarily as administrative units acting as the liaison between National Headquarters and all units of their respective regiments. The regiment aids in solving various problems that individual units may encounter during the course of the year. The regimental commanders, the national commander make up the legislative body of the National Society of Pershing Rifles. This body dictates what happens in the society for the upcoming semester.

Membership and competitions

Active membership is restricted to college students enrolled at an institution that hosts a Pershing Rifles company. Members may be either male or female and while a majority have affiliation with the military (especially ROTC

Reserve Officers' Training Corps

The Reserve Officers' Training Corps is a college-based, officer commissioning program, predominantly in the United States. It is designed as a college elective that focuses on leadership development, problem solving, strategic planning, and professional ethics.The U.S...

), it is not a prerequisite for membership.

Each company has latitude in selecting their uniform and weapons. They vary from company t-shirt and BDU

Battle Dress Uniform

The Battle Dress Uniform were the fatigues that the armed forces of the United States used as their standard uniform for combat situations from September 1981 to April 2005. Since then, it has been replaced in every branch of the U.S. military. Only the U.S. Navy currently authorizes wear of the...

 pants to more formal uniforms, like the Army's service uniforms, or "Class A's". Many companies wear berets, in a wide variety of colors. The only real consistencies within companies are the wear of a Pershing Rifles rank shield and, on dress uniforms, a shoulder cord and the Pershing Rifles Service Ribbon, which is blue with six vertical white lines, symbolic of the six core values held by a Pershing Rifleman. The W-4 Company at The College of William & Mary may wear uniforms based on those of the Scots Guards

Scots Guards

The Scots Guards is a regiment of the Guards Division of the British Army, whose origins lie in the personal bodyguard of King Charles I of England and Scotland...

 as recognition of their role as the Queens' Guard

Queens' Guard (College of William and Mary)

The Queens' Guard is a ceremonial unit at the College of William & Mary. The unit is recognized by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and is composed of students of the College. It is the only unit called "Queens' Guard" recognized by the British monarchy in the United States of America...

, the College's ceremonial guard unit, twice mustered upon visits by Queen Elizabeth II to the College.

Most Pershing Rifles companies use older battle rifle

Battle rifle

A battle rifle is a military service rifle that fires a full power rifle cartridge, such as 7.62x51mm NATO. While the designation of battle rifle is usually given to post-World War II select fire infantry rifles such as the H&K G3, the FN FAL or the M14, this term can also apply to older military...

s (especially the M1903 Springfield or M1 Garand) in performing routines. More recently, some of schools have converted to the R550 sniper rifle due to the high prices of the weapon of choice. At the annual National Society of Pershing Rifles National Convention and Drill Competition (NATCON), active companies compete in various categories of regulation drill (like proficiency at performing a color guard) and exhibition drill

Exhibition drill

Exhibition drill is a modified routine that involves complex marching sequences that usually deviate from standard drill.Teams performing exhibition drill are often affiliated with military units, but the scope of exhibition drill is not limited to the Military Drill Teams...

 (also known as trick drill, involving spinning or throwing the rifles).

Other Pershing Rifles companies, such as Company B-9 (University of Colorado at Boulder

University of Colorado at Boulder

The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado...

), Company C-9 (Colorado School of Mines

Colorado School of Mines

The Colorado School of Mines is a small public teaching and research university devoted to engineering and applied science, with special expertise in the development and stewardship of the Earth's natural resources. Located in Golden, Colorado, CSM was ranked 29th, in America among national...

), Company B-12 (Boston University

Boston University

Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...

) and Company C-12(ABN) (Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...

), focus on tactical training. These companies teach their members skills such as escape and evasion, survival skills

Survival skills

Survival skills are techniques a person may use in a dangerous situation to save themselves or others...

, rappelling

Abseiling

Abseiling , rappelling in American English, is the controlled descent down a rock face using a rope; climbers use this technique when a cliff or slope is too steep and/or dangerous to descend without protection.- Slang terms :...

, hand-to-hand combat

Hand to hand combat

Hand-to-hand combat is a lethal or nonlethal physical confrontation between two or more persons at very short range that does not involve the use of firearms or other distance weapons...

, and marksman

Marksman

A marksman is a person who is skilled in precision, or a sharpshooter shooting, using projectile weapons, such as with a rifle but most commonly with a sniper rifle, to shoot at long range targets...

ship. Company K-4(South Carolina State University

South Carolina State University

South Carolina State University is a historically black university located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, United States. It is the only state funded, historically black land-grant institution in South Carolina and is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund.- Colleges, departments,...

) practices and focuses on regulation D&C, and a mastery of exhibition drill.

Pershing Rifles National Alumni Association

The Pershing Rifles National Alumni Association (PRNAA) (formerly known as the Federation of Pershing Rifles Alumni Associations) was recognized by the National Society in 2007 as the official national-level alumni association for alumni and honorary members of Pershing Rifles, Pershing Rifles co-ed auxiliary groups such as CAPERS and Pershing Angels, and Blackjacks. PRNAA is incorporated in New York State as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and is led by a Board of Directors and a volunteer staff, both made up by alumni members. The National Commander and the National ROTC Advisor from P/R National Headquarters sit on the PRNAA Board of Directors as observers.

PRNAA is made up of unit-level alumni associations who have joined PRNAA as a group, and members at large, who do not belong to a unit-level P/R alumni organization. PRNAA is diligently working with National Headquarters to reactivate defunct units, charter new units, and organize alumni to assist newly chartered units that have no strong alumni base. They also have taken on the responsibility of finding alumni who have lost touch with their units and the Society at large, reconstituting Blackjacks at the high school level, establishing a scholarship foundation, publishing a national alumni newsletter, and helping alumni organize associations and events for their own unit. Since its inception in 2007, PRNAA has helped organize several new unit-level alumni organizations and reactivate or charter several collegiate P/R companies.

PRNAA has also taken on a large role in the organization of the 2011 Pershing Rifles National Convention (NATCON), through a Joint Planning Committee with National Headquarters. They have played a large part in reestablishing the Black Jacks Drill Competition at NATCON 2011 for JROTC, CAP

Civil Air Patrol

Civil Air Patrol is a Congressionally chartered, federally supported, non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force . CAP is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded membership that includes people from all backgrounds, lifestyles, and...

, and other youth drill units, as part of their efforts at reconstituting Blackjacks at the high school level.

PRNAA Goals

The goals of the PRNAA are to:

1.Continue to foster the bonds of brotherhood among alumni members of the National Society of Pershing Rifles by coordinating, supporting, and sponsoring alumni events at the local, regional, and national levels.

2.Assist in the establishment of local, collegiate level alumni associations.

3.Provide a medium through which alumni at large can interact with fell Pershing Riflemen, connect with former classmates, and participate in Pershing Rifles active and alumni events.

4.Assist the active leadership of the National Society of Pershing Rifles in the accomplishment of their mission without interference into the daily operations of the undergraduates.

Notable alumni

• Arthur Dean
  Arthur Dean
  Arthur Dean may refer to:* Arthur Dean , Australian Liberal politician* Arthur Dean , British Conservative Party politician, MP 1924–1929...
  
  
• Larry Ellis
• Joe Gray
  Joe Gray
  Joe Gray was an American actor who made appearances in dozens of films as numerous uncredited roles, including 10 of Frank Sinatra's films and 32 of Dean Martin's films....
  
  
• Galen Jackman
• James Earl Jones
  James Earl Jones
  James Earl Jones is an American actor. He is well-known for his distinctive bass voice and for his portrayal of characters of substance, gravitas and leadership...
  
  
• Jack Keane
  Jack Keane
  John Keane is a retired four-star general and former Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army, and a defense analyst currently serving as Chairman of the Board for .-Biography:...
  
  
• Curtis LeMay
  Curtis LeMay
  Curtis Emerson LeMay was a general in the United States Air Force and the vice presidential running mate of American Independent Party candidate George Wallace in 1968....
  
  
• G. Gordon Liddy
  G. Gordon Liddy
  George Gordon Liddy was the chief operative for the White House Plumbers unit that existed from July–September 1971, during Richard Nixon's presidency. Separately, along with E. Howard Hunt, Liddy organized and directed the Watergate burglaries of the Democratic National Committee headquarters in...
  
  
• Robert Mapplethorpe
  Robert Mapplethorpe
  Robert Mapplethorpe was an American photographer, known for his large-scale, highly stylized black and white portraits, photos of flowers and nude men...
  
  
• Charles McGee
  Charles McGee (pilot)
  Charles E. McGee was one of the Tuskegee Airmen and a career officer in the United States Air Force for 30 years. He holds an Air Force record of 409 fighter combat missions flown in World War II, Korea and Vietnam....
  
  
• Sid McMath
  Sid McMath
  Sidney Sanders McMath was a decorated U.S. Marine, attorney and the 34th Governor of Arkansas who, in defiance of his state's political establishment, championed rapid rural electrification, massive highway and school construction, the building of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences,...
  
  
• Colin Powell
  Colin Powell
  Colin Luther Powell is an American statesman and a retired four-star general in the United States Army. He was the 65th United States Secretary of State, serving under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005. He was the first African American to serve in that position. During his military...
  
  
• Hugh Shelton
  Hugh Shelton
  General Henry Hugh Shelton is a retired American career military officer of the United States Army. He served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1997 to 2001.-Early life, family and education:...
  
  
• Elvis Jacob Stahr, Jr.
• William E. Ward
  William E. Ward
  William E. "Kip" Ward , is a retired United States Army four-star general who last served as Commander, U.S. Africa Command from October 1, 2007 to March 8, 2011. He was the first officer to hold this position. General Ward previously served as Deputy Commander, U.S. European Command. General Ward...
  
  

Quotes

• "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

The above quote is a widely-accepted mission statement of the National Society of Pershing Rifles units today. The bulk of this "quote" is taken from the Purpose of the Pershing Rifles, by General Pershing himself.

• "The purpose of the Pershing Rifles is to foster a spirit of friendship and cooperation among men in the military department and to maintain a highly efficient drill company." - as stated by General John Joseph Pershing.

• "For the first time in my life I was a member of a brotherhood," [Colin] Powell
  Colin Powell
  Colin Luther Powell is an American statesman and a retired four-star general in the United States Army. He was the 65th United States Secretary of State, serving under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005. He was the first African American to serve in that position. During his military...
  
   would later say about the Pershing Rifles. "The discipline, the structure, the camaraderie, the sense of belonging were what I craved. . . . I found a selflessness within our ranks that reminded me of the caring atmosphere within my family. Race, color, background, income meant nothing."

• "I waited until my junior year to pledge for a military fraternity, The Pershing Rifles. This was later than most other students, but all my life I was a late bloomer. The pledging was tough and physical, but also military. I received a lot more exposure to weapons and military discipline than I would otherwise have obtained. My brother was in Vietnam and I believed I would wind up there, too."

Units

Known Pershing Rifles units past and present:

• National Headquarters (Originally at the University of Nebraska Lincoln)

• CAPER - Coed Affiliates Pershing Rifles
  Coed Affiliates Pershing Rifles
  The Coed Affiliates Pershing Rifles was established in 1966 as the first officially recognized female auxiliary to the National Association of Pershing Rifles. It was disbanded in the early 1980’s when women were fully integrated into Pershing Rifles...
  
  (The former female auxiliary to Pershing Rifles)

• 1st Regiment Headquarters - Ohio State University

• Company A-1 - The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
• Company B-1 - The University of Dayton, Dayton, OH
• Company C-1 - The University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
• Company D-1 - The University of Akron, Akron, OH
• Company E-1 - The University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
• Company F-1 - Ohio University, Athens, OH
• Company G-1 - Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH
• Company H-1 - West Virginia State College/University, Institute, WV
• Company I-1 - Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH
• Company J-1 - Wright State University, Dayton, OH
• Company K-1 - Kent State University, Kent, OH
• Troop L-1 - University of Toledo, Toledo, OH
• Company M-1 - John Carroll University, Cleveland, OH
• Company N-1 - Marshall University, Huntington, WV
• Company P-1 - Youngstown State University, Youngstown, OH
• Company R-1 - Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY
• Company S-1 - West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
• Company T-1 - Central State University/College, Wilberforce, OH
• Company W-1 - Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA
• Company Y-1 - Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Clarion, PA
• Company X-1 - Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH

• 2nd Regiment Headquarters - Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI

• Company A-2 - University of Nebraska at Lincoln (Pershing's Own), Lincoln, NE
• Company B-2 - State University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
• Company B-2 - Washington University, St. Louis, MO (Has also been N-3, B-7)
• Company C-2 - University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
• Company D-2 - University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
• Company E-2 - University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
• Company F-2 - University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD
• Company G-2 - Iowa State University, Ames, IA
• Company H-2 - St. John's University, Collegeville, MN
• Company I-2 - Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI
• Company K-2 - South Dakota State College/University, Brookings, SD
• Company L-2 - Ripon College, Ripon, WI
• Company L-2 - Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield, MO (Was L-7)
• Company M-2 - Wisconsin State University – Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI
• Company M-2 - Kemper Military School and College, Booneville, MO
• Company N-2 - Wisconsin State University – Stevens Point, Stevens Point, WI
• Company O-2 - Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL
• Company P-2 - Creighton University, Omaha, NE

• 3rd Regiment/Brigade Headquarters - Indiana University

• Company A-3 - Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
• Company B-3 - Western Kentucky State, Bowling Green, KY
• Company C-3 - University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, Champaign, IL
• Company D-3 - University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
• Company E-3 - Purdue University, Lafayette, IN
• Company F-3 - University of Illinois, Chicago, IL
• Company G-3 - Murray State Teachers College, Murray, KY
• Company H-3 - Western Michigan College of Education, Kalamazoo, MI
• Company I-3 - DePaul University, Chicago, IL
• Company K-3 - Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL
• Company L-3 - Michigan State University, Lansing, MI
• Squadron M-3 - Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Ill
• Company N-3 - Washington University, St. Louis, MO (Currently B-2, was B-7)

• 4th Regiment Headquarters - Clemson University

• Company A-4 - Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC
• Company B-4 - Tennessee Polytechnic Institute, Crossville, TN
• Company C-4 - Clemson University/Agricultural College, Clemson, SC
• Company D-4 - Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
• Company E-4 - Mercer College/University, Macon, GA
• Company F-4 - Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
• Company G-4 - Auburn University, Auburn, GA
• Company H-4 - Alabama A&M University, Huntsville, AL
• Company I-4 - Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, AL
• Company J-4 - Florence State University (now University of North Alabama), Florence, AL
• Company K-4 - South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC
• Company K-4 - University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
• Company L-4 - North Carolina State University/College, Raleigh, NC
• Company M-4 - University of Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN
• Company M-4 - Appalachian State University, Boone, NC
• Company N-4 - North Carolina A&T University, Greensboro, NC
• Company O-4 - Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA
• Company P-4 - Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee, AL (Now P-6)
• Company Q-4 - University of Georgia, Athens, GA
• Company R-4 - Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA (Was C-15)
• Company S-4 - Furman University, Greenville, SC
• Company T-4 - Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
• Company U-4 - Hampton University, Hampton, VA (Was D-15)
• Company V-4 - Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
• Company W-4 - College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA
• Company X-4 - Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN
• Company Y-4 - Christopher Newport University, Newport News, VA

• 5th Regiment Headquarters - Pennsylvania State University, Altoona, PA

• Company A-5 - Pennsylvania State University, Altoona, PA
• Company A-5 - Carnegie Institute of Technology, Pittsburg, PA
• Company B-5 - Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
• Company F-5 - Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA
• Company G-5 -
• Company H-5 - Washington and Jefferson College, Washington, PA
• Company I-5 - Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA
• Company K-5 - University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
• Company L-5 - Duquesne University, Pittsburg, PA
• Company M-5 - Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA
• Company O-5 - Gannon College, Erie, PA
• Company Q-5 - Pennsylvania Military College, Chesgter, PA
• Company R-5 - Scranton University, Scranton, PA
• Company X-5 - Lafayette College, Easton, PA
• Company Y-5 - Dickerson College, Carlisle, PA

• 6th Regiment/Brigade Headquarters - Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA

• Company A-6 - Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge, LA
• Company B-6 - University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, PR
• Company C-6 - Florida A&M College, Tallahassee, FL
• Company D-6 - Louisiana State University (Now D-17)
• Company F-6 - University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS
• Company I-6 - Loyola University, New Orleans, LA
• Company K-6 - Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
• Company M-6 - Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
• Company P-6 - Tuskegee University, Tuskeege, AL (Was P-4)
• Company P-6 - College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts, Mayaguez, PR
• Company S-6 - Stetson University, Deland, FL
• Company V-6 - McNeese State College, Lake Charles, LA
• Company W-6 - Spring Hill College, Mobile, AL
• Company Y-6 - Northeast State College, Lake Charles, LA
• Company U-6 - University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL

• 7th Regiment/Brigade Headquarters - Oklahoma State University Headquarters - Oklahoma State University

• Company A-7 - Kansas State College (now Pittsburg State University), Pittsburg, KS
• Company B-7 - Washington University, St. Louis, MO (Has also been B-2, N-3)
• Company C-7 - Oklahoma State University, (Originally known as Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College (Oklahoma A&M)) Stillwater, OK
• Company D-7 - University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
• Company E-7 - University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
• Company F-7 - Wichita State University, Wichita, KS
• Company G-7 - Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
• Company H-7 - University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
• Company I-7 - Arkansas State College, Little Rock, AR
• Company K-7 - University of Missouri at Rolla/Mussouri School of Mines (now Mo Univ for Science & Technology), Rolla, MO
• Company L-7 - Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield, MO (Currently L-2)
• Company L-7 - Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, TX
• Company M-7 - Missouri Southern State College, Joplin, MO (Unit Disbanded)
• Company N-7 - Quachita Baptist College, Arkadelphia, AR
• Company P-7 - University of Texas Station, TX
• Company Q-7 - Prairie View A&M College, Prairie View, TX
• Company R-7 - Central Missouri State, Warrensburg, MO
• Company S-7 - Henderson State Teacher’s College, Arkadelphia, AR
• Company T-7 - Midwestern University, Wichita Falls, TX

• 8th Regiment Headquarters - City College of New York then Seton Hall University

• Company A-8 - City College of New York, New York, NY
• Company B-8 - Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
• Company C-8 - St. Bonaventure University, Bonaventure, NY
• Company D-8 - Fordham University, New York, NY
• Company E-8 - New York University, Bronx, NY
• Company E-8 - Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (Was E-15)
• Company F-8 - Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
• Company G-8 - Siena College, Londonville, NY
• Company G-8 - Howard University, Washington, DC
• Company H-8 - Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY
• Company I-8 - Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY
• Company J-8 - Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD (Was H-15)
• Company K-8 - Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ
• Company L-8 - New York University, NY, NY
• Company M-8 - Columbia University, New York, NY
• Company N-8 - Saint Peters College, Jersey City, NJ
• Company O-8 - Canisius College, Buffalo, New York
• Company P-8 - State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime, Bronx, NY
• Company Q-8 - Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
• Company R-8 - Clarkson College, Potsdam, NY
• Company S-8 - Niagara University, Niagara, NY
• Company X-8 - University of Delaware, Newark, DE
• Company Z-8 - Rochester Institute of Technology. Rochester, NY

• 9th Regiment Headquarters - University of Colorado at Boulder

• Company A-9 - University of Alaska, College, Alaska
• Company B-9 - University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO
• Company C-9 - Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO
• Company D-9 - Colorado College, Colorado Springs, CO
• Company E-9 - South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, SD
• Company H-9 - Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
• Company G-9 - Utah State University, Logan, UT

• 10th Regiment - Headquarters - Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

• Company A-10 - University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
• Company B-10 - University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
• Company C-10 - New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
• Company D-10 - Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
• Company E-10 - University of Santa Clara, Santa Clara, CA
• Company F-10 - San Jose State College, San Jose, CA
• Company G-10 - University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
• Company H-10 - Texas Western College, El Paso (became UTEP, later H-17, now A-14)
• Company I-10 - University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA

• 11th Regiment Headquarters - Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR (Ended after 1964)

• Company A-11 - University of Alaska, College, Alaska
• Company B-11 - University of Washington, Seattle, WA
• Company C-11 - University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
• Company E-11 - Oregon State University, Eugene, OR
• Company G-11 - University of Oregon, Eugene, OR
• Company H-11 - Seattle University, Seattle, WA

• 12th Regiment

• Company A-12 - Northeastern University, Boston, MA
• Company B-12 - Boston University, Boston, MA
• Company C-12 (Airborne)- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
• Company D-12 - University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
• Company E-12 - Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA
• Company F-12 - University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
• Company F-12 - Stonehill College, Easton, MA
• Company G-12 - University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
• Company H-12 - University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
• Company K-12 - Providence College, Providence, RI
• Company L-12 - University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
• Company M-12 - University of Maine, Orono, MA
• Squadron N-12 - Lowell Technological Institute, Lowell, MA

• 14th Brigade Headquarters

• Company A-14 - University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX (has been E-7, H-10 & H-17)

• 15th Regiment - University of Maryland, College Park, MD

• Company A-15 - University of Maryland, College Park, MD
• Company B-15 - Virginia State College, Petersburg, VA (now PR Co O-4)
• Company C-15 - Norfolk State University,Norfolk, VA (now R-4)
• Company D-15 - Hampton University, Hampton, VA (now U-4)
• Company E-15 - Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (later E-8)
• Company F-15 - George Washington University, Washington, DC
• Company G-15 - Loyola College, Baltimore, Maryland
• Company H-15 - Morgan State University,Baltimore, MD (now J-8)
• Company Q-15 - Pennsylvania Military College (was Q-5)
• Company R-15 -University of Richmond (Richmond, VA)

• 16th Regiment/Brigade Headquarters - University of Tampa, Tampa, FL

• Company A-16 - Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA
• Company B-16 - University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico (was B-6)
• Company B-16 - Alcorn State University, Lorman, Mississippi
• Company C-16 - Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL (was C-6)
• Company E-16 - Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL (temporarily defunct)
• Company M-16 - Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
• Company P-16 - College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico (was P-6)
• Company S-16 - Stetson University, Deland, FL
• Company T-16 - University of Tampa
• Company U-16 - University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL (was U-6)

• 17th Regiment Headquarters - Prairie View A&M University

• Company A-17 - Southwest Texas State University
• Company D-17 - Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA (was D-6)
• Company G-17 - Grambling State University, Grambling, LA
• Company H-17 - University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX (Now A-14)
• Company L-17 - Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, TX
• Company M-17 - Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX
• Company M-17 - Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, NM
• Company Q-17 - Prairie View A & M University, Prairie View, TX
• Company R-17 - Trinity University, San Antonio, TX
• Company T-17 - Midwestern University, Wichita Falls, TX
• Company T-17 - Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX

Further reading

• Pershing Rifles National Headquarters
• Pershing Rifles National Alumni Association
• Pershing Rifles National Convention 2011 (NATCON) and Alumni Reunion
• PRF 501: Introduction to the National Society of Pershing Rifles (Society Marketing Packet)