| National Society of Blackjacks | |
| Crest: | Blackjacks.png |
| Alt: | The Coat of Arms of the National Society of Blackjacks |
| Colors: | Yellow and Black |
| Symbol: | Shield, crossed sabers, and torch |
| Flower: | Yellow Rose |
| Birthplace: | University of Nebraska–Lincoln |
| Affiliation: | Pershing Rifles |
| Type: | Drill and service |
| Scope: | National |
| Country: | United States |
| Free Label: | Units |
| Free: | 8+ |
| Status: | Active |
| Emphasis: | Junior ROTC |
| Pillars: | Respect, Friendship, Integrity, Leadership, Service, and Scholarship |
The National Society of Blackjacks is an American high school Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps leadership program based on the example of General of the Armies John J. Pershing. The Blackjacks are the high school auxiliary of the National Society of Pershing Rifles.[1]
The National Society of Blackjacks was founded on September 13, 1967, by Pershing Rifles Company R-7, based at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Missouri.[2] The date was selected because it was General John J. Pershing's birthday. John J. Pershing. The mission of the Blackjacks is to form drill units throughout the United States that are trained as future members of Pershing Rifles and to protect the ideals of Pershing, patron of the Pershing Rifles.
Pershing Rifles Company R-7 became the Blackjack National Headquarters in September 1972. William F. Kuerz became the Blackjack's National Commander.
Its headquarters moved to the MacDonald County High School in Anderson, Missouri. in 1975. The Pershing Rifles National Headquarters assumed control of Blackjacks in the fall of 1976. Pershing Rifles 4th Regimental Headquarters at Clemson University assumed control of Blackjacks National Headquarters on April 9, 1977.
In the 1980s, Blackjacks suffered a slow decline in membership until they ceased to exist. The National Society of Blackjacks was re-established in 2012 by Pershing Rifles.
The Blackjacks coat of arms was adopted in 1967 and has similarities with the Pershing Rifles Coat of Arms. It consists of a black shield decorated with a torch covered by cross sabers, with the letters "B" and "J" in gold on either side. Below the shield is a banner with the inscription "Blackjacks" and the founding date "1967." The shield shows that the Blackjacks are ready to meet any situation. The crossed sabers are also the symbol of the U.S. Cavalry. The torch symbolizes the eternal flame of friendship, scholarship, knowledge, and indomitable leadership.
The colors of the Blackjacks are yellow gold and black. Yellow is the United States Cavalry branch color and was selected to represent Pershing’s service as a cavalry officer. Black represents Pershing’s nickname of “Blackjack” and signifies wisdom, self-control, and discipline. Its flower is the Yellow Rose, similarly selected to represent Pershing's carvary service. Yellow rose also tradionally represent friendship.
In 1967, the Blackjacks adopted a membership ribbon that was based on that of the Pershing Rifles. It was worn on the left breast of the member's uniform and "denotes exemplary conduct at all times". The ribbon includes six yellow stripes, representing Respect, Friendship, Integrity, Leadership, Service, and Scholarship. Blackjacks also wear a yellow and black Fourragère or shoulder cord on the left shoulder as a symbol of honor.
Following is a list of Blackjack units. Blackjacks units use a similar Company-Regimental Designation to that of the National Society of Pershing Rifles. Active units are indicated in bold. Inactive units and institutions are in italics.
| Company | Charter date and range | Institution | Location | Status | References | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 | 19xx ?–19xx ? | Boy Scout of America/Venture Crew Six | Tremont City, Ohio | Inactive | ||
| A-2 | 19xx ?–19xx ? | Heelan High School | Sioux City, Iowa | Inactive | ||
| A-4 | 19xx ?–19xx ? | Carol Hayes High School | Inactive | |||
| A-6 | 19xx ?–19xx ? | Baker High School | Mobile, Alabama | Inactive | ||
| A-7 | 19xx ?–19xx ? | William Christman High School | Independence, Missouri | Inactive | ||
| A-9 | 19xx ?–19xx ? | Inactive | ||||
| B-1 | 19xx ?–19xx ? | Wooster Ohio | Inactive | |||
| B-2 | 19xx ?–19xx ? | Cretin High School | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Inactive | ||
| B-6 | 19xx ?–19xx ? | Satsuma High School | Inactive | |||
| B-9 | 19xx ?–19xx ? | Logan Senior High School | Logan, Utah | Inactive | ||
| C-1 | 19xx ?–19xx ? | Grove City High School | Inactive | |||
| C-8 | 19xx ?–19xx ? | Westbury Navy JROTC | Westbury, New York | Inactive | ||
| D-17 | 19xx ?–19xx ? | S. H. Rider High School | Wichita Falls, Texas | Inactive | ||
| E-4 | 19xx ?–19xx ? | Beaver Creek High School | West Jefferson, North Carolina | Inactive | ||
| T-8 | 19xx ?–19xx ? | American Military Academy | Guaynabo, Puerto Rico | Inactive | ||
| A-4 | 20xx ? | Camden Military Academy | Camden, South Carolina | Active | ||
| A-8 | 20xx ? | Southold Navy JROTC Units (Southold High School, Mattituck High School, and Greenport High School) | Southold, New York | Active | ||
| B-4 | 20xx ? | Paul R. Brown Leadership Academy | Elizabethtown, North Carolina | Active | ||
| B-8 | 20xx ? | Brentwood Air Force JROTC | Brentwood, New York | Active | ||
| D-8 | 20xx ? | Riverhead Navy JROTC | Riverhead, New York | Active | ||
| F-8 | 20xx ? | William Floyd High School Navy JROTC | Mastic Beach, New York | Active | ||
| D-17 | 20xx ? | Liberty Magnet High School Army JROTC | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Active |