The Pershing Professionals Badge was a local individual award created by the 56th Artillery Group to recognize proficiency on the Pershing nuclear missile system. It was awarded from December 1968 through 1979. Originally awarded only as bronze, the silver and gold versions of the badge were later developed. Cloth versions of the badge were also available. The badge and patches were locally procured in Schwäbisch Gmünd. The badge was colloquially known as the Pocket Rocket or Pershing Pickle. The badge went through some design changes: