Army just unveiled their new uniforms for this year’s “America’s Game” against Navy…
And they are GLORIOUS
The jerseys are a tribute to Task Force Dagger, the Army Special Forces Unit that deployed into Afghanistan after the attacks on September 11th.
Army and Nike teamed up for the new uniform combo, featuring the Special Forces motto “De Oppresso Liber,” meaning “To Free the Oppressed.”
It also includes camo on the helmet, and “United We Stand” along the back of the jerseys, along with several patches that pertain to the Army Special Forces. Finally, the shoes commemorate those who lost their lives on 9/11.
“In the immediate wake of the 9/11 attacks, Special Forces Operational Detachment Alphas (ODAs) from the 5th Special Forces Group were called upon to rapidly deploy from Fort Campbell, KY to Afghanistan.
These are the ODAs we honor with this year’s Army-Navy uniform– the ODAs of Task Force Dagger.”
The video the team released beautifully describes the meaning behind the uniform:
Here’s more on United States Army Special Forces:
“United States Army Special Forces grew from a collective heritage of military units dating back to WWII, and draws their lineage from the 1st Special Service Force. U.S. Army Special Forces was founded in 1952 with the activation of the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
In the decades since then, the United States created more Special Forces Groups as the military increasingly came to rely on their specialty: the conduct of unconventional warfare. Special Forces soldiers have participated in every American military campaign since they first saw combat during the Korean War.
These “quiet professionals” bring an extraordinary capability to bear in support of America’s strategic and operational goals worldwide. Repeatedly since their inception, the soldiers of the Special Forces have lived up to their motto: De Oppresso Liber, “To Free the Oppressed.”
And more specifically, Task Force Dagger:
“One of the key Joint Special Operations Task Forces established for Operation Enduring Freedom was known as Task Force Dagger.
Task Force Dagger worked hand in hand with Central Intelligence Agency Officers, and included elements from the 5th Special Forces Group, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), and Air Force Special Operations Command Special Tactics groups that were based at “K2,” a former Soviet airbase close to Karshi Kandabad, Uzbekistan.
Task Force Dagger’s aim was to partner with indigenous Afghan warlords and resistance fighters from the Northern Alliance to destroy Al Qaeda and defeat the Taliban.
They achieved this primarily by enabling our Afghan partners with precisely targeted close air support delivered by the United States Air Force.”
Everything on the uniform has a significant meaning that represents the Special Forces and the 9/11 attacks, and you can get a full backstory for every piece of the uniforms HERE.
