A. The Chameleon is the symbol of the tri-service aspect of the fraternity. It symbolizes the national society and its members' adaptability to change and constant preparedness.
B. The Helmet is the symbol of the chivalry of the medieval knights. This spirit is the cornerstone of the character of every Pershing Rifleman. It is a prime requisite for conduct, a necessary part of every true heart.
C. The Torse represents the Pershing Rifles active member's cord.
D. The Shield, upon which are the crossed rifles and torch is the symbol of the readiness to meet any situation anywhere, on the battlefield or wherever we may be called.
E. The Crossed Rifles, crossed saltier-wise on the escutcheon of Pershing Rifles form a chevron, which has been noted as an emblem of service and of helping one another, here representing the spirit of friendship and the cooperative efforts of units in the Society in serving on another. The Crossed Rifles can also be seen as a symbol for power and military strength for the insurance of peace.
F. The Torch, flamed and superimposed over the Crossed Rifles, represents four values inherent to the Society. First, in its entirety, the torch stands for indomitable leadership embodying both the dutiful following of instructions, like true soldiers, and the intelligence issuance of command. It stands also for the eternal flame of true friendship, a fundamental quality inherent within the Society. The Torch also denotes high achievement in scholarship and knowledge. To meet the demands of leadership, we must have knowledge. It does not mean just the “minimum effort” of scholarship.
G. The Scroll bears the name of our fraternity and the year of its founding.
CREST
COLORS
The colors of the National Society of Pershing Rifles, royal blue and white, have traditional national significance. These are the colors of the membership ribbon, the pledge ribbon, and the guidon, and each represent the cornerstones of the Society and its members. White is for purity, cleanliness of life, and rectitude of conduct. Blue is for loyalty, devotion, friendship, justice, and truth. The membership cord is a symbol of honor bestowed to the Pershing Rifles member upon initiation and is to be worn on the left shoulder. The cord is purple and white with a gold tip bearing the Pershing Rifles Crest. The original colors of the hord were the colors of the Society. Legend has it that during World War II blue dye was in short supply. The company that made cords substituted purple for the blue. Following the war and the end of rationing, the cords returned to blue and white. In the wake of the Vietnam War and in honor of sacrifices made in that conflict as they have been during World War II, the cord was once again returned to purple and white and has remained as such since.
INSIGNIA
Membership Ribbon
left breast of the uniform. The six white stripes on the membership ribbon, from the wearer’s right to left stand for:
1. Devotion to duty and country
2. A bold and true heart
3. Readiness to meet any situation
4. Leadership
5. Military proficiency
6. Scholarship
The design of the Membership Ribbon is identical to the Army Good Conduct Medal, which denotes exemplary conduct at all times. It is worn on the
Pledge Ribbon
The Pledge Ribbon is half blue and half white. It is worn on the left breast of the uniform with the white segment to the left.
Rank Shield
The Pershing Rifles Officer Rank Shield is blue in color, trimmed in silver, and almost identical in nature to the Shield found in the Pershing Rifles Crest. Officer Rank Shields include a Torch and Crossed Rifles. The rank of the officer within the Society is denoted towards the top of the shield, above the Torch and Crossed Rifles.
FLOWER
The official flower of the National Society of Pershing Rifles is the white rose. Traditionally, this flower represents the most important man or family of the era. For the Pershing Rifleman, the white rose symbolizes the great life of our founder and patron, General of the Armies John Joseph Pershing, who made the ideals of the Pershing Rifles a reality.
