TAMPA, Fl. — On December 11th, the 122nd Army vs. Navy football game, one of the biggest traditions and rivals in sports, will honor the Special Forces Operational Detachment Alphas (“ODA’s”) from the 5th Special Forces Group, also known as Task Force Dagger. Every year each team releases a special custom-designed uniform to inspire and honor this tradition and this year the Black Knight’s uniform will be honoring this group of legendary soldiers.
In the wake of 9/11, the Special Forces Teams known as ODAs were called upon during our nation’s darkest hour. One of those Teams, ODA 595, following a daring insertion into Afghanistan on October 19th, 2001 linked up with the Northern Alliance and rode into battle on horseback. This brave and unconventional act earned ODA 595 the moniker of “Horse Soldiers.” As 2021 marks the 20th Anniversary of September 11th the Horse Soldiers will be honored and recognized in this year’s Army uniform.
Coined “America’s Game”, the Army 2021 uniform will feature the three-color Desert Camouflage Pattern featured on the ODAs Desert Combat Uniform.
Produced by Nike, the uniforms also bear the Special Forces collar insignia of crossed arrows, the Special Forces motto “De Oppresso Liber” which translates to “To Free The Oppressed,” and the Task Force Dagger Patch.
“To be recognized during such a notable event and time-honored tradition means the world to our team”, says former Special Forces Green Beret and Horse Soldier Bourbon Chief Operations Officer Scott Neil. “For the past 20 years, we’ve continually tried to live by the motto “Live Legendary” and this is as legendary as it gets. We’re incredibly honored to be just a small part of the American military family. Go Army! Beat Navy!”
Living Legendary lives is exactly what the Horse Soldiers put to practice every day. While their mission was called out as one of the most successful in American military history, many members decided after retirement that their stories were just beginning. Wanting to continue to build on their legacy and create something even better for their families and country, the team went on to establish the Horse Soldier Bourbon brand. Since 2015, Horse Soldier Bourbon has been handcrafting Authentic, All-American, Award-Winning bourbon throughout the United States and this past October, just broke ground on its Horse Soldier Farms distillery in Somerset, Kentucky.
A true honor for the Horse Soldiers, this year’s Black Knight’s uniform will bring the fighting spirit of the ODA 595 to life during the game. Taking place on December 11th at 3 pm EST on CBS, for further information on the Army-Navy game, visit https://armynavygame.com, and for additional information on the 2021 Army commemorative uniforms visit https://www.unitedwestand.football.
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