Army vs. Navy uniforms, explained: Unique jerseys for battle for Commander-In-Chief Trophy
To some, college football might seem saturated in the alternate jersey market. But Army vs. Navy never disappoints.
As the two schools prepare to play for the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy in Foxborough, Massachusetts to close out the regular season, upholding the tradition of playing in the last week of the year, they'll also continue the tradition of wearing unique jerseys. Each year they roll out new threads, and each year there is some meaning behind them.
It's the first time the game will be played in New England, adding some spice to the matchup. The game is generally played in Pennsylvania.
Navy currently holds the edge in the overall series 62-54-7, but the Black Knights won in 2022. They have alternated in the past five seasons after a streaky point in the rivalry.
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Navy's jerseys will be submarine-themed, dubbed its "Silent Service Uniform." Army's will pay tribute to the 3rd Infantry Division, called "Dogface Soldiers." It will be Navy's darkest Navy threads against the desert-themed Army.
Navy's 'Silent Service' uniform
Under Armour makes Navy's jerseys, with the 2023 shade being called "Eclipse Navy." It's the darkest shade of navy Under Armour offers, and is meant to replicate the darkness of a submarine's hull in the depths.
On the helmet is the foreboding silhouette of a submarine, and there is a jersey patch for the USS Massachusetts, an homage to where the game is being played.
The idea is simple: Serve in the shadows.
Jersey is "flooded" with Eclipse Blue, in order to mimic the darkness of the hull of a submarine.
Lettering in white to mirror the classification numbers on a submarine.
Gloves, patch feature the navy's famous anchor patch merged with the Submarine Warfare insignia, which is worn by the submarine community.
Stacked numbers on the pants, like the numbers on a submarine hull.
"Silent Service" written across the back of the jersey, with the silhouette of a U.S. submarine atop a sonar screen.
A hand-painted Virginia Class Submarine on the right side of the helmets.
Cleats meant to mimic waves in the sea.
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Army's "Dogface Soldiers" uniform
While Navy's uniforms take us underwater, Army's bring us to the desert.
Honoring the 3rd Infantry Division, Army's jerseys pay tribute to a revered tactical group from 2003 in the invasion of Iraq. "Dogface Soldiers" is the name of the division's official song.
The 3rd Infantry Division was the unit behind the operation known today as "Thunder Run."
Notes on the "Dogface Soldier" uniforms:
Tan jerseys to signify the desert backdrop of the invasion of Iraq.
"Rocky the Bulldog," the famous mascot of the 3rd Infantry Division, is represented in a decal on the helmet.
"Dogface Soldier" decal written across the front visor of the helmet.
Helmets will randomly be assigned one of three designations: "Raider," "Spartan" and "Sledgehammer," each corresponding to a callsign from the three maneuver brigades from Iraq in 2003.
The patch on the sleeve is a 3rd Infantry Division patch, three white stripes across a black backdrop.
"ROTM" sewn into the pants, or "Rock of the Marne." The nickname earned by the division during World War I.
Stencil lettering font meant to mimic that used on U.S. Army vehicles.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Army vs. Navy uniforms, explained: Reason behind unique jerseys in 2023
