Insignia and Symbolism of the Pershing Rifles

THE CREST OF THE PERSHING RIFLES

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. The Torse represents the Pershing Rifles active member's cord.
4. The Shield, upon which are the crossed rifles and torch is the symbol of readiness. It is a symbol of the readiness to meet any situation anywhere, on the battlefield or wherever we may be called.
5. The Crossed Rifles are the symbol of power, military strength for the insurance of peace.
6. To meet the demands of leadership, we must have knowledge. The Torch denotes high achievement in scholarship and knowledge.
7. The Scroll bears the name of our fraternity and the year of its founding.

The colors of Pershing Rifles, blue and white, have traditional national significance. These are the colors of the cord, worn on the left shoulder, the membership ribbon, the pledge ribbon, and the guidon. White is for purity, cleanliness of life, and rectitude of conduct. Blue is for loyalty, devotion, friendship, justice, and truth.

Membership Ribbon

The design of the membership ribbon is identical to the Army Good Conduct Medal, which denotes exemplary conduct at all times. The six white stripes on the membership ribbon, starting on the inside as the ribbon is worn and moving outward, 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

Pledge Ribbon

The pledge ribbon is half blue and half white. It is worn with the white segment to the left.

Official Flower

The official flower 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 their founder, General of the Armies John Joseph Pershing, who made the ideals of the Pershing Rifleman a reality.

Officer Shields

The Pershing Rifles Officer shields are blue, trimmed in silver, with a torch and crossed rifles superimposed upon the shields. The rank of a Pershing Rifles officer is shown by miniature army devices on the upper part of the shield.