Click HERE to download a pdf copy of The Pershing Rifles Group Newsletter, The Sentinel, Volume 4, Issue 2, that includes a full description of the activities of NATCON 2012.

If you have good photos from NATCON 2012's legislative sessions, dinners, retreat ceremony or drill meet, please share them with us. We'd love to display them for all to see. Contact The P/R Group CIO to arrange a means of transfer.

See pictures from the Alumni Dinner (held Thursday night, March 15th, 2012 at Dalessio's in Baltimore) by clicking HERE.

Pictures from The Pershing Rifles Group Retreat Ceremony, held at Federal Hill Park on the Baltimore Inner Harbor, may be viewed HERE.

• During the Retreat Ceremony, The Honorable Mahlon Apgar, IV, Former Assistant Secretary of the Army presented a Proclamation from the Governor of the State of Maryland. A full copy of his presentation may be downloaded by clicking HERE.
  
  The Governor's Proclamation reads:
  
  WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of Maryland wishes to join with the National Society of Pershing Rifles as we honor the Society’s Military Retreat Ceremony at Federal Hill Park.
  
  WHEREAS, the National Society of Pershing Rifles has chosen Baltimore to celebrate 118 years in existence as the premier college level Military Honor Society in the country, which has produced some of the finest officers, business and professional leaders our nation has ever known.
  
  WHEREAS, the National Society of Pershing Rifles has continuously assisted in the development of the future leaders of America, throughout Universities and Colleges across the nation, through mentorship, scholarship and military preparedness.
  
  WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of Maryland, having a sincere respect and admiration for those who serve our community, state, and nation so well, does hereby issue this Proclamation to The National Society of Pershing Rifles in public recognition of such service.
  
  Now therefore be it RESOLVED, that I, Martin O’Malley, Governor of the State of Maryland, do hereby extend my Congratulations to the National Society of Pershing Rifles and to their active and alumni members on this special occasion;
  
  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and have caused the seal of the State of Maryland to be affixed, this sixteenth day of March, two thousand and twelve.
  
  Signed by the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor and the Secretary of State.
  
  

Click on the links below to see videos of activities from NATCON 2012.

• P/R Company G-7 from Kansas State University at the Retreat Ceremony.
• P/R Company G-7 Participation in Platoon Regulation Drill.
• P/R Company G-7 Participation in Squad Regulation Drill.
• P/R Company G-7 Participation in Platoon Exhibition Drill.
• P/R Company G-7 Participation in Duet Drill.
• P/R Company G-7 Participation in Solo Drill.
• P/R Company G-7 Participation in Color Guard Competition.
• P/R Company Q-8 from Hofstra University Participation in Color Guard Competition.

Results of the 2012 John J. Pershing Memorial Drill Competition

Congratulations to the winners of the various events as listed below:

Downloadable Programs From NATCON 2012

• Alumni Dinner Program
  
• Drill Competition Program
  
• Formal Dinner Program
  

Yes, we are already looking ahead to next year's event.

The Pershing Rifles National Alumni Association is proud to welcome all Pershing Rifles active and alumni, including CAPERS, Blackjacks and all members of the Pershing Rifles family of organizations to the 2012 Pershing Rifles National Convention and Alumni Reunion 15-18 March 2012 at the Scenic Baltimore Maryland Inner Harbor in Baltimore, MD!

If you have never attended before, we know you’ll have a great time. The goal of this year’s National Alumni Reunion is to have as many alumni from as many different units as possible. Please pass this information to every Pershing Rifles Alumni and Active Member you know.

Guest Speaker Announcement

Army Major General James M. McDonald, Commanding General, US Army Cadet Command, will speak at the Pershing Rifles Dinner Saturday, March 17th, 2012. A copy of MG McDonald's distinguished biography may be downloaded by clicking HERE.

MG Higgins To Be Honored

Army Major General Patrick M. Higgins, ‘76, Past P/R Company Q-8 Commander, current Director, Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense Organization will be honored as the Pershing Rifles Alumnus of the Year at the NATCON Pershing Rifles Dinner Saturday, March 17th, 2012. A copy of MG Higgins' distinguished biography may be downloaded by clicking HERE.

Former Assistant Secretary of the Army to Participate in NATCON Retreat Ceremony

Former Assistant Secretary of the Army Mahlon (Sandy) Apgar IV will be participating in the NATCON Retreat Ceremony, 16 March 2012, in Baltimore. Mr. Apgar lives in the Federal Hill neighborhood and has founded a not-for-profit organization to rebuild the area around the flagpole for the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. He will present a proclamation to the Commander of the National Society of Pershing Rifles and speak briefly about that endeavor. As community servants, we are pleased to help the City of Baltimore in this effort.

US Air Force Drill Team to Perform at NATCON 2012!

The United States Air Force’s 11th Operations Group has confirmed that the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team will perform at the 2012 Pershing National Drill Competition scheduled for March 17, 2012, at the 5th Regimental Armory in Baltimore, MD. Their exhibition, to begin at Noon, showcases their precision, professionalism, strength and dexterity, including their precise marching and crisp rifle drill. The exhibition is free and open to the public.

This will be a standard 16-person performance which features a professionally choreographed sequence of show-stopping weapon maneuvers, precise tosses, complex weapon exchanges, and a walk through the gauntlet of spinning weapons.

The Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team is the traveling component of the Air Force Honor Guard and inspires Air Force awareness among military and civilian audiences through its complex drill routine. In all they do, the Drill Team personifies the integrity, discipline, teamwork, and professionalism of every Airman and every Air Force mission.

Maryland Defense Force Band to Support NATCON 2012!

The Maryland Defense Force Band is a uniformed organization of volunteers which represents and provides musical support for the Maryland Defense Force, provides back up support for the 229th Army Band and provides supplemental professional musical support to the Maryland Military Department (MMD) and the Maryland National Guard (MDNG). The band is led by MAJ Jari Villanueva.

The mission of the Maryland Defense Force Band is to enhance community relations, general recruitment, and troop morale. Its goal is to communicate the mission of the Maryland Defense Force and the duties it performs for the Maryland Military Department.

The Maryland Defense Force Band:

• Provides music for military ceremonies, concerts and other appropriate occasions as may be directed by the Commanding General (CG).
• Provides background music for official receptions and ceremonies as may be directed by the CG.
• Participates in functions in support of the Maryland Defense Force (MDDF).
• Participates in special events and music programs designed to support the mission of the Maryland Defense Force.