Pershing rifles take 2nd place competition

The sound of boots and the buttstock of weapons hitting the drill pad resounded during IU's first hosting of the National Pershing Rifle competition Saturday in Assembly Hall. Twenty-three Pershing rifle teams gathered in Assembly Hall to compete for top honors as the best Pershing Rifle company in the land. \nThe Pershing Rifle society is a time-honored tradition that traces its roots to 1891, by second Lt. John Pershing. Pershing was assigned as an instructor of military science for the University of Nebraska and quickly found the cadet program weak and undisciplined. In order to build morale and camaraderie for the ROTC, he selected a few good men to enlist in a new elite society of rifleman called Varsity Rifles. These group of men trained to perform regiment marching techniques with their rifles in accordance with Army regulations. It was not until 1894 that the society changed its name to honor its founder.\nThe tradition of Pershing Rifles continues with IU's Pershing Rifle Company Alpha 3. These groups of men and women consist of 24 members ranging from Air Force and Army cadets, reservists and national guardsmen, as well as civilians. The groups have practiced four times a week since December to prepare for the National Championships. \nThe society competed last Saturday against 23 other teams. The IU team performed their routine with clean, executed maneuvers, giving them second place overall in the nation behind Clemson University. The team also took top honors in squad regulation with a National Championship title.\n"When we finished our squad regulation ... and we were waiting in the holding dock," said Pershing Rifle captain Paul Milas, "we knew we had nailed it."\nSophomore cadet Erik Hanson won both the individual drill and exhibition competition parts of the championship.\nSFC. Dale Blubaugh, an instructor for the IU military program, said he was impressed with the team's performance.\n"It takes a lot of extra time and effort, 110 percent above and beyond the studies," he said.\nPractices can be demanding and take up a lot of free time. Col. Steven Wayne, National Commander for Air Force ROTC, said balancing the duties of being a student and cadet is grueling.\n"It's impressive that on top of being a student that they manage the time to do studies, be in ROTC, and perform," he said.\n-- Contact Photo Editor David Bracho at dbracho@indiana.edu.