Army vs. Navy Match 2023: uniforms revealed for the 124th meeting between the Black Knights and the Midshipmen

The annual Army vs. Navy game is one of college football’s most heralded rivalries, filled with tradition and pageantry. It’s also one of the most anticipated uniform clashes of the year, and now Army and Navy have revealed their special uniforms for their clash on Saturday, December 9. Of course, neither disappoints.

Midshipmen on Monday unveiled submarine-themed uniforms honoring the “silent service” that are expected to be worn during the annual showdown with the Black Knights. Every element of the uniform, from the helmets to the gloves, references underwater warfare in one way or another. For example, the helmets are painted with a Virginia-class submarine underwater on one side, while the other features the Navy anchor logo with an integrated submariner pin. This is one aspect of a look that is sure to catch people’s attention on game day.

The Army, meanwhile, continues its tradition of honoring specific divisions within the branch. This year, the Black Knights are honoring the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID). The 3rd Infantry Division was activated on November 21, 1917, the same year the United States entered World War I, but the Army opted for a more modern approach.

The Black Knights wear tan jumpsuits to designate the desert in which the 3rd Infantry Division operated during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 3ID served as the tip of the armored spear during the ground invasion of Iraq, which began on March 21, 2003.

The Army uniform is full of little details honoring the 3rd Infantry Division. The Black Knights will wear helmets emblazoned with “Rocky the Bulldog,” the official 3ID mascot. Each player will also wear the number and corresponding designator of one of the division’s three brigades on the back of their helmet. The uniform also has common tank markings scattered throughout.

The 124th Army vs. Navy meeting will take place Saturday, December 9 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, at 3 p.m. ET on CBS. The Black Knights will have a chance to win the Commander in Chief’s Trophy after already upsetting Air Force on the road. Navy, with a win, can only clinch a share after losing to Air Force at home.