Editing Pershing Rifles (section)

===Post World War II history===

The society was reactivated in January 1946, heralding the second Golden Age of Pershing Rifles which lasted to the early 1970s. During World War II many Pershing Riflemen were drafted directly from college and served as enlisted men to meet urgent wartime manpower requirements. After the war, they returned to finish their college education using their [[G.I. Bill]] education benefits. It was this nucleus of WWII combat veterans that spearheaded the rebirth of Pershing Rifles.

The late 1940s and the 1950s were years of great expansion for the society. By 1948, just two years after reactivation, Pershing Rifles had grown to 38 companies in seven regiments. It was now larger than its prewar strength. By 1957, Pershing Rifles had grown to 130 units in twelve regiments an over 300% increase in size in just 11 years.

In 1955, Pershing Rifles produced and released a documentary, "[[The Highest Ideals (film)|The Highest Ideals]]". This 27-minute Technicolor film discussed the history, traditions, and missions of Pershing Rifles. Copies of the film were distributed to Pershing Rifles units throughout the country as a means of promoting the organization to prospective members.<ref>''The Lincoln Star'', Lincoln, Nebraska, Page 6, January 25, 1957</ref>

With the establishment of a separate U.S. Air Force on 18 September 1947, Air Force ROTC cadets joined the ranks of Pershing Rifles. The Pershing Rifles National Assembly in November 1947 agreed to accept Navy ROTC cadets making the society a true multi-service organization.

With the President's [[Executive Order 9981]] of 26 July 1948 that abolished racial discrimination in the U.S. Armed Forces, Pershing Rifles rapidly integrated African American cadets and [[historically black colleges and universities|Historically Black]] units into the society. As a result, today the society counts among its alumni many African American military leaders such as General [[Colin Powell]] former [[chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]] and [[United States secretary of state]].

Over the next several decades, the Pershing Rifles continued to grow. In 1961, the society had 139 active units with nearly 4,100 initiates for that year alone. Then Pershing Rifles disappeared from many college campuses during and following the [[Vietnam War]] with the dissolution of ROTC programs and the end of compulsory ROTC basic courses. In response to the shrinking number of units and riflemen within these units, the National Headquarters increased the emphasis on tactics and marksmanship. By 1974 the Pershing Rifles was organized into thirteen regiments comprising 137 units.

The [[Coed Affiliates Pershing Rifles]] (CAPERS), established in 1966, were the first officially recognized female auxiliary to the society which established units alongside Pershing Rifles units for decades until it was disbanded in the 1980s. The 1970s saw the introduction of women into the National Society of Pershing Rifles as full members, with the first female pledge at Company L-4 ([[North Carolina State University]]) in 1971 and the first female active member from M-16 ([[Florida State University]]) a year later.

The high school auxiliary to Pershing Rifles, The [[National Society of Blackjacks]] (a tribute to General Pershing's nickname), was founded in 1967 as an after-school programs that provide positive leadership experience through drill.

The late 1970s through the 1990s was a period where the number of Pershing Rifles units continued to decline. After Desert Storm both the U.S. Military and Pershing Rifles were hard-pressed to attract members. However, the society continued in a few Pershing Rifles units across the country.  The spirit, strength, and traditions of the society continued in a few strong Pershing Rifles units across the country.

The [[9/11]] attacks created a groundswell of support for the U.S. military brought on by a new spirit of patriotism in the American public. This was echoed in the sense of duty and service amongst college students which has sustained the growth and popularity of Pershing Rifles from 2001 to the present.

After over 125 years Pershing Rifles is going strong and continues to inspire students and create future leaders in the military, business, industry, and the arts.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://pershingriflessociety.org/our-history/|title= Our History|publisher= National Society of Pershing Rifles|access-date= 29 July 2018}}</ref>