Army Unveils “Ivy Soldier” Uniforms for the 2026 Army-Navy Game
Army and Nike are bringing the legacy of the 4th Infantry Division to the field with the Black Knights’ new “Ivy Soldier” uniforms. Created for the 127th Army-Navy Game, the look combines camouflage green, ivy imagery and memorial-inspired lettering to honor a division that has served under the motto “Steadfast and Loyal” since 1917.
The design begins with the division’s identity. Established during World War I, the 4th Infantry Division became known as the “Ivy Division” through its Roman numeral designation, IV. That connection carries throughout the uniform, with the division insignia appearing on the jersey’s left shoulder and the front of the helmet.
Camouflage green sets the tone for the combination. The color and pattern reference the dense, ivy-covered foliage of Central and Eastern Europe, connecting the uniform to the landscapes associated with the division’s service. Ivy detailing extends into Army West Point’s Athena Shield, giving the familiar program mark a treatment specific to this year’s tribute.
The typography adds another layer of meaning. Chiseled numbers and lettering draw inspiration from military memorials, including the Utah Beach monument. Their carved appearance brings a sense of permanence and craftsmanship to the uniform, reinforcing the history behind the design.
The helmet continues that storytelling with an IV decal surrounded by four ivy leaves. “Steadfast and Loyal” appears on the visor wings, while a rear 9/11 decal recognizes the division’s commitment and sacrifice in the 25 years since the September 11 attacks. Those placements carry the tribute across multiple angles of the helmet, giving each detail its own place in the presentation.
Nike’s gloves and Vapor cleats extend the ivy theme beyond the jersey and helmet. The coordinated equipment gives players another way to carry the division’s identity, building a complete game-day look around the same visual language.
Even the football receives a custom treatment. Army’s game balls feature the 4th Infantry Division insignia and ivy-adorned Athena Shield, along with a Nike Swoosh filled with the uniform’s camouflage green color and pattern. It brings the tribute directly into the action, connecting the ball to the story carried across the players’ equipment.
The Ivy Soldier reveal marks the 11th consecutive season of collaboration among Army Football, the United States Military Academy’s Department of History and War Studies, and Nike. Since launching in 2016, the initiative has used Army’s annual matchup with Navy to recognize the people, units and missions behind the academy’s military heritage.
For this year’s edition, the strength of the design comes from that consistent connection. The ivy, IV insignia, memorial-inspired lettering and custom equipment all point back to the soldiers being honored, giving the uniform a clear identity from helmet to cleats.
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