Army and Navy unveil special uniforms for the game
Army and Navy will each wear specially designed uniforms to honor famed divisions on Saturday when they clash in Philadelphia for the 118th time in the historic series.
Army’s uniforms will honor the 10th Mountain division, and Navy’s will pay tribute to the Blue Angels.
Army’s uniforms are made by Nike, whose co-founder Bill Bowerman managed supplies for the 10th Mountain Division. The unit is noted for its ability to fight in harsh mountainous terrain.
A shoulder patch on the uniform features a blue background with crossed bayonets to denote the infantry and represents the Roman numeral 10 for the unit’s number. The patch is shaped like a powder keg and the word “mountain” is featured in white on a blue tab.
The original 10th Mountain Division was formed in 1943 at Camp Hale, Colo., as an alpine unit. It was dubbed the 10th Light Division and redesignated the 10th Mountain Division a year later. Soldiers trained at high altitudes on skis and snowshoes and learned survival tactics, sleeping outside without tents in the Rocky Mountains.
Navy’s uniforms, made by Under Armour, are inspired by the Blue Angels and include Blue Angel insignia on the right sleeve. The font of the numbers is “inspired by the numbers on the tail of the F/A-18 Hornet aircraft that the Blue Angels fly.”
Navy athletics director Chet Gladchuk said: “This tribute to the Blue Angels reflects the enthusiastic pride and appreciation we have for the Navy’s premier flying team and the motivation they convey to Navy football and the fleet at large. The masterminds at Under Armour are always thinking of ways to inspire our troops while still reflecting a deep appreciation for a Naval history that is so ingrained in our game-day traditions. Annually, a special Navy uniform has become a statement in this game and brings with it appreciated meaning and a clear message that we are all in.”