The Blue Ridge Rifles, established in 1950, is a military unit within the ROTC program at the University of North Georgia. It is not directly affiliated with the Blue Ridge Rifles that existed as a military unit of the Confederate States Army during the Civil War. The ROTC unit was named in honor in the Confederate Army unit. Today, the Blue Ridge Rifles perform year round for University of North Georgia events, high schools, parades, sporting events, as well as 21 gun salutes and flag folding for military and police funerals.