Arkansas State University Rifle Team
The A-State Rifle Team is a club sport team at Arkansas State University, hosted by the A-State Army Reserve Officers Training Corps; however, members are not required to be an ROTC Cadet to shoot on the team. The team is currently Independent since no other university in the Sun Belt Conference fields a Rifle Team. A-State is the only university in Arkansas with a Rifle Team and the only university in the state with an operational indoor shooting range.
Collegiate rifle Shooting has two disciplines: the small-bore .22 and .177 air rifle. The small-bore is fired in the prone, standing and kneeling positions using a precision target rifle. Competitors have 40 minutes to complete 40 record shots in the prone position; 80 minutes to complete 40 record shots in the standing position; and 60 minutes for 40 record shots in the kneeling position for a possible match score of 1200. The air rifle is fired in the standing position only using a .177 caliber precision air rifle. Shooters have 80 minutes to complete 40 shots from the standing position for a possible match score of 400.
The A-State Rifle Team has been a club sport at the University since 1936.
Pershing's Rifles
The Pershing Rifles Club is separate and distinct from the A-State Rifle Team. This club is open to any student enrolled in classes at Arkansas State University. This team competes in various rifle marksmanship competitions throughout the academic year. Each year there are newly elected officers who run the organization. The Pershing Rifles Club has access to "Sisler's Range" which is an indoor rifle range located in the A-State Military Science Building. "Sislers Range" is dedicated in memory of 1LT Ken Sisler: A-State's only Medal of Honor recipient. More information on 1LT Sisler can be found in the Hall of Heroes.
PARTICIPATION
This team meets once per week throughout the year. Participants are required to attend PT regularly and maintain acceptable grades in their scheduled college courses. This team usually functions on its own but still falls under the Cadet Battalion Commander's authority.
TIME COMMITMENT
Time spent in this organization may vary from week to week; however, most weeks the team meets once for practice and administrative purposes. The time per week will be determined by the Rifle Team Officers to best work with each team members college classes.
A-State Color Guard
This extracurricular activity is open to any student enrolled in one of our Military Science courses. This team has the honor of presenting the National Colors in a variety of events throughout the academic year. It is not often that any American has the privilege to be involved with a time-honored tradition which many of our forefathers gave their lives for. When done well, there is nothing like having older veterans walk up to thank you, shake your hand and tell you what an outstanding job you did with a tear in their eye. Some events that the color guard has served honorably are A-State Football home games, Military Balls, Battalion dining in and dining out, various parades, and many more.
PARTICIPATION
This team requires members with a sense of dedication to professionalism and to honor. Of all the extracurricular events, this one puts you in the spotlight as all eyes at any given event are upon you. See the SMI or Training NCO for more details of this time-honored team. Once on the team, you will wear the "Color Guard" tab and braid on your Class A Uniform. After 5 events, you will receive the Color Guard Ribbon for wear on your Army Service Uniform (ASU) as well.
TIME COMMITMENT
Most of the events are done on the weekends and some during weeknights. The time commitment to practicing is not as much as one might think and a member can usually be trained in a matter of one afternoon session.
Scabbard and Blade
This organization is a club that is open to any student enrolled in one of our military science classes. Certain qualifications apply and are determined by the club's president. Scabbard and Blade is a national military honor society founded by five field officers at the University of Wisconsin in 1904-05. The program was started at A-State in January 2000. Its purpose is to provide a positive image of the ROTC program and the Army on the campus of Arkansas State University and in the surrounding community. Scabbard and Blade's distinctive insignias are the coveted "gray beret" with red and blue tab and the medallion, for Army Service Uniform.
PARTICIPATION
The time for when this group meets will be determined by the organization's president.
TIME COMMITMENT
The time required to participate in this club is determined by the individual cadet. There may be some weekend fundraisers and sporting events to attend.
SISLER'S RAIDERS
This club is open to any student enrolled in one of our military science classes. It honors 1LT George Kenton (Ken) Sisler commissioned as a Military Intelligence officer. He served a tour of duty with Special Forces in Vietnam, where he received our nation's highest award for valor: the Congressional Medal of Honor. He can be viewed in the Hall of Heroes' page on this website. Students that normally participate in this group are usually involved in preparation for the annual Ranger Challenge Event. This team competes on events that include a Physical Fitness Test, one-rope bridge, M16 marksmanship, obstacle course patrolling, day land navigation, and a 10 kilometer run with 35 pounds of combat gear.
PARTICIPATION
This team meets 2-3 times weekly throughout the year. Participants are required to do PT 5 days a week and is mentored by an Assistant Professor of Military Science. They also participate in fund raisers, various athletic competitions and encourage other cadets to increase their APFT scores. This team usually functions on its own but still falls under the Cadet Battalion Commander's authority.
TIME COMMITMENT
The time required to participate in this group will encompass some morning and late afternoon workouts. There are no weekend workouts unless determined by the group leader. Fundraising is a part of this team which includes paintball, marathons, and various sporting events.
