The Navy Midshipmen will use their annual battle against the Army Black Knights to honor a historically significant fighting force.

The Navy will honor Aviation Unit Jolly Rogers with a themed uniform during the 125th edition of the Army-Navy Game on Saturday.

Founded in 1943, Jolly Rogers carries a legacy that reflects the tradition of excellence, victory and elegance in the United States Navy with the slogan “Fear the Bones” and the call sign “Victory.”

They have flown nine versions of fighter aircraft over the past 63 years, with their first aircraft flying in January 1943 on the F4U Corsairs assigned to VF-17 during World War II.

Here’s to victory! To the bone☠️https://t.co/5ziKfHBeBm#JollyRogers | #BeatArmy pic.twitter.com/XrQmuF7DcW

– Navy Athletics (@NavyAthletics) November 20, 2024

The design of the jersey is tailored to the representation of the relay. The colors and placement of elements on the jersey are intended to illustrate the aircraft on which the Jolly Rogers flew. The dark navy hood reflects the Jolly Rogers’ craftsmanship design, with the stripe on the collar referencing the stripe on the top edge of the jet’s tail fin.

“Navy” is written in bold on the chest to resemble the lettering on the side of the aircraft. The numbers refer to the numbers on the fuselage, trailing edge flap and wings on the side of the aircraft.

The stripe patterns on the sleeves illustrate the stripes of the Jolly Rogers aircraft with nine triangles – on the jersey and pants – symbolizing the nine different types of aircraft the Jolly Rogers have flown throughout their history.

The hand-painted helmet features the words “Fear the Bones” and the striped triangle pattern with the skull emblem on the side.

The uniform’s pants pay homage to the six Jolly Rogers seasons from 1943 to the present.

This is the second time Navy Football has honored the Jolly Rogers. In 1962, the Midshipmen, formerly known as the Cadets, wore a helmet design in a 34-14 win over Army.