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Posted 27 November 2007:

G-7's FIRST REUNION A MAJOR SUCCESS!!

The first G-7 Reunion in 35 years was held in Manhattan on November 16th and 17th . All who
attended were unanimous in feeling this was a gathering which was long overdue. We have
promised ourselves this will become an annual event and are looking forward to gathering for
the KSU-Texas Tech football game in October 2008. Hopefully, with more advanced notice
and planning we can get an even larger turn out.

Things started on Friday afternoon with three alumni; Don Jacka, Jeff Woodall, and John
Chatelain, who met with the K-State’s current PMS, LTC George Belin. He personally gave a
tour of a much changed and up-graded Military Science Building. It was very heartening to
hear that K-State’s Wildcat Battalion is very highly ranked among the ROTC programs. The
idea was discussed of the possibility of re-establishing a P/R unit at KSU and support of the
concept was offered. LTC Belin was unable to make any commitment at that time, but did
offer to discuss the matter with his cadets to see if there might be interest within their battalion
to follow up on the idea. A minimum of 10 volunteer cadets would be needed to start a new
unit.

On Friday evening, a cocktail party was held at the Econo-Lodge Motel with G-7 alumni and
several wives in attendance. There was a lot of catching up to do. Old photos were shared
along with many memories. Anyone wanting specifics will have to attend future reunions and
ask for themselves.

Saturday was the game day between K-State and Missouri. Unfortunately not all of those who
came to the Friday party were able to stay for the game, but some who were not able to make
it Friday were seen on Saturday. Bud and Betty Allen hosted a magnificent tailgate party. The
Army ROTC Department also held their first alumni tailgate party. The sorry details of the
game will not be discussed here. Following that debacle, the "Last Man Club" was officially
founded with Bud being elected the secretary. Please check the "Last Man Page".

2009 G-7 Reunion
25 and 26 September 2009

Our third annual reunion was once again successful in gathering alumni from as far as Arizona and Northern Minnesota. The events
started on the morning of 25 September when Don Jacka, Rich Gray, Jeff Woodall, and John Chatelain met with cadre from both
the Army and Air Force ROTC departments, as well as cadets, to discuss the mission of the National Society of Pershing Rifles
and the history of G-7 at Kansas State. Also present was Mr. Arthur DeGroat, Kansas State's Director of Military Affairs, and Mr.
Damon Fairbanks, from the KSU Foundation. We were very well received. The process of re-establishing G-7 was discussed. A
fund will be established through the university's foundation with donations from G-7 Alumni. Enough money has now been pledged
to open the account. As of this posting, the "Pershing Rifles Alumni Excellence Fund" has been approved by the foundation. As
soon as the paperwork is completed, information will be posted with the account number and information required to make
donations. We hope to have the cadets equipped with Daisy drill rifles in the near future. We further hope G-7 will be reactivated at
the 2010 Fall Commanders' Call in Lincoln.

Friday evening we held our annual barbecue at the home of Bud and Betty Allen in Auburn, Kansas. It was a great event with plenty
of stories from old friends. "The Bottle" for the Last Man Club was brought out for examination. Bud showed us the vintage
automobiles he has been restoring.

Saturday morning Bud and Betty hosted another wonderful tailgate party prior to the Kansas State - Tennessee Tech game.
The game was the "Fort Riley Day" event. Honoring the troops at the Fort and the 1st Infantry Division. Soldiers from Ft. Riley
participated in the Openning and Half-Time Events.

2010 NATCON,
Tallahassee, Florida
18 - 20 March

This year's National Conference at Florida State University was one of particular importance to Kansas State
University's ROTC Departments, both Army and Air Force. Four KSU Cadets: Anthony Magallanes, Garrett
Jennings, Stephanie Jones, and David Thomas, with their advisor, MAJ Ryan Hofstra, travelled by van from
Manhattan to Tallahassee to demonstrate their proficiency as a color guard, and to qualify for activation into
the Pershing Rifles. At the National Alumni Dinner on Thursday, they provided this service. The following
afternoon they and representatives from five other universities presented to the assembled leadership of the
Society. They then underwent oral examination. On Saturday, they took the written pledge test. Of the six
schools applying for membership, K-State cadets received the highest marks. All four scored above 90%.
These new G-7 actives are now qualified to test and advance pledges into membership. We hope to see G-7
competing at the 2011 NATCON in Columbus, Ohio. That will probably be in the last full week of March.
Be there to cheer G-7 onward!

Attached below is a copy of the news release written by MAJ Hofstra APMS at Kansas State,

KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY ARMY & AIR FORCE ROTC MEDIA RELEASE
THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF PERSHING RIFLES RETURNS TO K-STATE

By MAJ. Ryan C. Hofstra, Asst. Professor of Military Science, Army ROTC and Company G-7 Faculty Advisor

During the past several weeks, Kansas State students may have witnessed an unusual and somewhat
amazing scene in front of General Richard B. Myers Hall. Army and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps
(ROTC) Cadets and other students of Kansas State have been practicing their Exhibition Drill technique with
non-firing 1903 Springfield Rifles. Who are these Cadets and students and what exactly are they trying to
accomplish? They are all members of a unique national society known as Pershing Rifles.
The purpose of the National Society of Pershing Rifles is to develop, to the highest degree possible,
outstanding traits of leadership, military science, military bearing, and discipline within the framework of a
military oriented, honorary fraternity. The Society was started by General of the Armies John J. Pershing in
1894. Noteworthy alumni of the Society include Gen. Colin Powell, G. Gordon Liddy, James Earl Jones, and
Gen. Curtis LeMay. The list of prestigious alumni includes numerous politicians, physicians and career military
personnel. Active membership is open to all college students at Kansas State University. The vast majority of
the membership is composed of ROTC Cadets but being a Cadet isn't a prerequisite to pledge. Membership
doesn't require enlistment or a contract within the military so it provides students an opportunity to be
associated with the military without any actual service commitment.
Kansas State's Company of Pershing Rifles is designated Company G-7 and is a member of the 2nd
Regiment. The Pershing Rifles have a rich and proud history at Kansas State. The University's affiliation with
Pershing Rifles dates back to before World War II. From 1931 to 1965 enrollment in ROTC was compulsory
for all male students at Kansas State due to state law. Company G-7 provided those ROTC students
interested in developing a higher level of leadership, military bearing, community service and discipline a way
to do so. Among its many honors, Company G-7 has served as Honor Guard to servicemen whose remains
were returned to Kansas immediately following World War II. The Company also served as the escort to
President Dwight D. Eisenhower upon his return to his home state of Kansas. The Kansas State Pershing
Rifles were the first student organization on campus to integrate black students into their ranks with the
membership of Cadet Robert Thompson in 1949. Company G-7 gained national recognition and notoriety for
the University after winning the 1969 Exhibition Drill National Championship.
After the Kansas state legislature repealed the compulsory ROTC enrollment law, ROTC courses became an
elective for interested students. Mandatory enrollment in Army ROTC for freshmen and sophomores was
officially dropped during the 1965-66 school year. The impact of elective Army ROTC resulted in a steady
decline in ROTC enrollment and participants decreased from 1,300 Cadets in 1965 to 135 Cadets in 1973;
to support the all-volunteer Army of the post-Vietnam era. During the 1970s, membership numbers in
Pershing Rifles also declined due to the Vietnam anti-war movement on campuses across the nation
including here at Kansas State. The unjust treatment of Cadets and disrespect for military personnel coupled
with a lack of interest in military service eventually led to Company G-7 being dissolved on campus.
Over the last year, several key Kansas State alumni have led an effort to re-establish Pershing Rifle's
presence on campus. ROTC Cadets and non-ROTC students have embraced the proud traditions and
legacy of Company G-7 and this re-activation effort. When asked what makes the Pershing Rifles unique
from other Student Organizations, Army ROTC Cadet Anthony Magallanes said "Pershing Rifles offers a
unique family that exists amongst all branches of the military and includes our brothers and sisters in the
civilian community." This fraternal aspect of Company G-7 has driven the resurgence of the society within the
Army and Air Force ROTC programs as well as with non-Cadet students who have joined Company G-7.
During their recent spring break, a detachment of four Company G-7 Pershing Rifle pledges and their faculty
advisor traveled to Florida State University to participate in the Society's national convention. After several
days of intense testing of their mental, physical, tactical, and leadership acumen; the Society's legislative
body voted to re-activate Company G-7 at Kansas State. On March 19th, Company G-7 of the National
Society of Pershing Rifles returned to Kansas State with an official membership of 21 students ranking as
one of the largest Companies within the Society. Company G-7 has set its long term goals to continue its
expansion, return the Pershing Rifle Exhibition Drill National Championship trophy to Kansas State, and to
become the premiere Company within the Society.
For more information regarding Company G-7, the National Society of Pershing Rifles, or how to become a
Pershing Rifleman please contact the Company G-7 Commander Cadet Chris Pierson at
cpierson@k-state.edu or the Company G-7 faculty advisor Army Major Ryan Hofstra at hofstra@ksu.edu.