Army football players will wear green camouflage to honor 4th Infantry Division
The new uniforms feature ivy motifs and a chiseled font designed to reflect the history of the unit formed in 1917.
By Paula Delgado ·
Army football players will take the field in green camouflage uniforms on Dec. 12. The gear is designed to honor the 4th Infantry Division, a unit that has been in service for more than a century. The pattern mimics the dense foliage found in Central and Eastern Europe. This visual choice pays tribute to the division's legacy of service.
The 4th Infantry Division was created in December 1917 during World War I. Its Roman numeral designation, IV, led to the nickname Ivy Division. The name became part of the unit's identity over the following decades. The division's history is central to the design of the new athletic equipment.
Nike unveiled the uniforms on Sunday. The design team included ivy leaves on the Athena Shield, gloves, and cleats. The jersey left shoulder patch and the front of the green helmet display the unit's insignia. The helmet lid features a decal with the letters IV surrounded by four ivy leaves.
The visor wings carry the division motto, Steadfast and Loyal. A decal commemorating the events of Sept. 11, 2001, appears on the back of the helmet. The numbers and letters on the uniform use a typography style inspired by memorials like the Utah Beach monument. The back nameplate reads IVY SOLDIERS, with IV in white and the remaining letters in green.
Jason Cochran, a Nike designer, stated that it is important to showcase the service academies. He noted that the players are there to serve their country while playing the game. Army coach Jeff Monken described the uniform as a tremendous source of pride for the team. He said the gear represents different units with deep historical roots.
Army safety Stephen Nnadozie said the jersey has meaning behind it. He noted that people have died for the units the jerseys represent. He added that representing a unit on the field carries weight that players do not take for granted. The game balls for the match will also feature the division insignia and an ivy-adorned Athena Shield.
This marks the 11th consecutive year that Army, the U.S. Military Academy's Department of History and War Studies, and Nike have collaborated on a special uniform. The matchup against Navy is the 127th meeting between the two teams. The game is scheduled to take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Navy has not yet announced its uniforms for the contest.
