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 ARMY AND NIKE TEAM UP FOR 2023 ARMY-NAVY UNIFORM TO HONOR THE SOLDIERS OF THE 3RD INFANTRY DIVISION

DogFace Soldiers

The 2023 Army-Navy uniform tells the story of the soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division during the opening phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Marne Division’s participation in the initiation of offensive operations in Iraq, the longest and most rapid armored advance since the Second World War. 

The 3rd Infantry Division’s success hinged upon its ability to seize and maintain the initiative against a determined adversary in harsh and unforgiving terrain. The Dogface Soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division accomplished this feat through clear application of the U.S. Army’s characteristics of the offensive: surprise, concentration, audacity, and tempo.

On December 9, we are honored to represent the soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division and their tactical acumen on the field in Foxborough. In adopting their mottos, symbols, and ethos on the field of friendly strife, we seek to emulate their application of these characteristics to defeat our rivals.

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Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) / Thunder Runs (1 and 2)

The 3rd Infantry Division conducted extensive training in Kuwait prior to the invasion of Iraq in the early hours of March 21, 2003. As part of a broader land campaign, the 3rd Infantry Division – the tip of the armored spearhead – defeated regular and irregular Iraqi forces as it advanced through the towns of Nasiriyah, Samawah, and Najaf and then through the Karbala Gap. After moving through the Karbala Gap, the 3rd Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team seized the Baghdad Airport, which isolated the Iraqi capital from the south and west.

“Figure – 70.33 March on Baghdad, 21 March – 9 April © from The West Point History of Warfare, ed. Clifford J. Rogers and Ty Seidule.

In an effort to maintain pressure on the Iraqi regime and determine the strength of the Iraqi defenses in and around Baghdad, Major General (MG) Buford Blount, commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division, ordered 2nd Brigade Combat Team, under the command of Colonel (COL) David Perkins, to conduct an armored thrust north along Highway 8 into central Baghdad before moving southwest to return to the Baghdad International Airport. This operation came to be known as the Thunder Run.

COL Perkins gave the mission to Task Force (TF) 1-64 Armor Battalion, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Rick Schwartz. LTC Schwartz chose to use the battalion’s main combat power, consisting of 29 M1 Abrams tanks and 14 M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, along with numerous M113 armored personnel carriers to discover the enemy’s disposition, strength, and determination to fight. On April 5, 2003, as the armored spearhead probed western Baghdad, LTC Schwartz’s soldiers received heavy fire from uncoordinated Iraqi paramilitary forces before moving to join other elements of the 3rd Infantry Division at the Baghdad airport.  The first Thunder Run was an unqualified success that demonstrated the Army’s presence and freedom to maneuver in Baghdad.

Two days later 2nd Brigade Combat Team was tasked to attack into central Baghdad to maintain the initiative, demonstrate American resolve, and counter Iraqi propaganda claiming American forces were not near Baghdad. This time, the entire 2nd Brigade Combat Team participated in what was named the second Thunder Run, resulting in the brigade occupying key infrastructure in the heart of Baghdad and ultimately breaking the will of the Iraqi regime. The efforts of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, and those with them, during the Thunder Runs demonstrated their competence, selfless service, and “Send Me” attitude.

Thunder Run

2023 Uniform Inspired Features

  • Uniform Color

    The color of this year’s uniform is tan overall, to denote the desert in which 3rd Infantry Division operated during the invasion of Iraq. This also corresponds to camouflage patterns and vehicle paint schemes from Operation Iraqi Freedom.

  • “Rocky the Bulldog”

    The famous mascot of 3rd Infantry Division, “Rocky the Bulldog,” is displayed on both sides of the helmet. Rocky was created by Walt Disney himself in 1965. The 3rd Infantry Division gained the right to display Rocky through an exchange of letters between Disney Productions and the 3rd Infantry Division commander at the time, MG Albert O. Connor. Rocky harkens to the official 3rd ID song, “Dogface Soldier,” which 3rd Infantry Division soldiers continue to sing every morning at formation.

  • “Dogface Soldier”

    Above the front visor of the helmet are the words “Dogface Soldier,” which is the title of the official 3rd Infantry Division Song. This nickname, originally slang term for U.S. Army soldiers, was associated with 3rd Infantry Division soldiers after the division adopted the song in 1942.

  • Featured Brigades of OIF I

    Assigned randomly across the Army Team, helmets will display the number and corresponding call signs of one of the division’s three maneuver brigades that participated in the invasion of Iraq in 2003: 1st Brigade- “Raider”; 2nd Brigade- ”Spartan”; 3rd Brigade- ”Sledgehammer.”

  • Nous Resterons La

    The Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI, or unit crest) of 3rd ID symbolizes the Division’s first combat operations at the Second Battle of the Marne in 1918. The rock symbolizes this famous battle, where the Division earned its nickname, “Rock of the Marne.” Facing a heavy German offensive during this battle, the commander of 3rd ID, MG Joseph Dickman (USMA 1881), told French allies “Nous resterons la” which means “we shall remain here.” The two-legged dragon perched upon the rock symbolizes the tenacious fighting spirit demonstrated by Dogface Soldiers throughout their history.

  • Streamer

    On the back of the collar, the Iraq Campaign streamer is proudly displayed. The ribbon reflects the colors of the Iraqi flag. Green and black are traditionally significant colors for Islam and these stripes highlight the predominant religion of the Iraqi people. Red honors the fighting courage required for the pursuit of freedom. White denotes generosity. This streamer flies on the Division Colors, among the many campaign streamers earned by the 3rd Infantry Division throughout its prestigious history. Lastly, the bronze Campaign Star on the Iraq Campaign streamer denotes participation in a named campaign.

  • 3rd Infantry Division Patch

    Displayed on the left shoulder is the 3rd Infantry Division patch. Though subdued as worn on the Desert Camouflage Uniform of 2003, the standard division patch consists of three white stripes representing the number of the division and the three major operations in which the division participated during World War I. The clear field of blue stands for loyalty, steadfastness, and the American soldier’s devotion to the principles of right and justice.

  • ROTM

    “Rock of the Marne” is the nickname the 3rd Infantry Division earned in France during the Second Battle of the Marne during the First World War when the division defeated a German attack near Château-Thierry along the Marne River. This acronym is displayed on the pants.

  • Tank Markings

    The downward facing arrows on the front and back of the jersey mimic the markings used by armored units in 3rd Infantry Division during OIF I. These markings assist soldiers with battle tracking and allow them to identify friendly units rapidly during the confusion of combat. Another tank marking is displayed on the front right of the pants and represents the thermal pattern 3rd Infantry Division units displayed on their vehicles. These thermal panels allow armored formations to distinguish friend from foe using thermal optics during conditions of limited visibility.

  • Font

    The stencil lettering represents similar markings on the front and back of United States Army vehicles. Commonly referred to as “bumper numbers”, the unique combination of letters and numbers on each vehicle distinguishes specific units from each other to minimize confusion during battle.

THE DIVISION ORIGINS

The 3rd Infantry Division was activated on November 21, 1917, and organized at Camp Greene, North Carolina prior to arriving in France in April 1918 for service in World War I as part of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF).

The division saw combat in France on the Western Front, distinguishing itself in July 1918 during the Second Battle of the Marne, earning the nickname “Rock of the Marne” and its motto, “Nous resterons Là” (we shall remain there). Elements of the division, positioned on the banks of the Marne River, held back advancing German forces near Château-Thierry that were driving rapidly towards Paris. The division was instrumental during the subsequent St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives, aiding in the defeat of Imperial Germany. During World War II, the division served in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, Germany, and Austria, experiencing some of the fiercest combat in the Mediterranean and European Theaters of Operations. The division participated in four amphibious operations during the war, demonstrating its capability as an organization in a variety of conditions and environments.

As the Cold War turned hot on the Korean Peninsula, elements the 3rd Infantry Division, known as the “fire brigade” of the Eighth Army, was called upon to stem the advance of communist aggression from North Korea and China from 1950 until the Korean War’s conclusion in 1953. Elements of the division were integral during Operation Desert Storm in 1991 as part of the Allied Coalition that successfully defeated Iraqi forces after their invasion of Kuwait in 1990.

After the division re-located to Fort Stewart, Georgia in 1996, the 3rd Infantry Division joined the XVIII Airborne Corps and participated in numerous peacekeeping operations in Kuwait, Egypt, Bosnia, Croatia, and Kosovo. After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the division’s soldiers deployed multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan, demonstrating their readiness to answer our nation’s call.

Featured Brigades of the 3rd Infantry Division

  • 1st Brigade

    The Raider Brigade was first activated in 1917 to deploy to France during World War I, and has since conducted combat operations in Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan. During the assault into Baghdad, 1st Brigade led the attack to seize Baghdad International Airport from a brigade of Iraqi Special Republican Guard and Iraqi Special Forces. Seizing the Baghdad International Airport protected 2nd Brigade as it staged for the Thunder Runs. Committed to their motto, “Raiders First,” the brigade’s soldiers stand ready to redeploy for future missions.

  • 2nd Brigade

    The Spartan Brigade was founded in 1917, and participated in combat deployments during World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Iraq War. During the invasion of Iraq, the Brigade penetrated Baghdad in two Thunder Runs, which provided the 3rd Infantry Division with key information about the composition and disposition of enemy forces and facilitated the coalition occupation of central Baghdad. The unit’s bravery in combat directly contributed to the collapse of enemy resistance. When the Army asks, “who shall we send?” the 2nd Brigade proudly proclaims, “Send Me!”

  • 3rd Brigade

    The Sledgehammer Brigade traces its lineage to the 6th Infantry Brigade, first activated in 1917 to participate in the 3rd Infantry Division’s World War I campaigns. Following the first Thunder Run, 3rd Brigade helped secure the northern flank of the 3rd Infantry Division by seizing bridges from Iraqi Republican Guard and Fedayeen units. This prevented external reinforcements from attacking 2nd Brigade during the second Thunder Run, while also preventing Iraqi conventional forces from retreating in good order.

Additional Featured Units of the 3rd Infantry Division

  • 3rd Sustainment Brigade

    The Heart of the Rock Brigade traces its lineage to the establishment of Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 3rd Infantry Division Trains in 1957. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Sustainment Brigade provided logistical support elements to allow the maneuver brigades to fight as brigade combat teams rather than relying on divisional assets. This proved essential during the second Thunder Run, as three sustainment convoys fought their way to 2nd Brigade to provide critical fuel and ammunition. That resupply, delivered by vehicles with little to no protection from enemy fire, was critical to the Division’s success.

  • 1-64 Armor

    Organized as Task Force 1-64, the battalion conducted the first Thunder Run on April 5, 2003, as an armored reconnaissance to link up with 1st Brigade at Baghdad International Airport. Leveraging its collective experience on that first Thunder Run, the battalion spearheaded 2nd Brigade’s advance on the second Thunder Run. The battalion opened the route into Baghdad and seized one of Saddam Hussein’s palaces and the headquarters of the Baath Party.

  • 3-15 Infantry

    Activated in 1861, the 15th Infantry Regiment was created in response to the Civil War and served in every major war through the 1990s. In the second Thunder Run as Task Force 3-15, the battalion seized three critical road junctions to maintain a ground line of communications between friendly forces. The enemy counterattacks failed in the face of 3-15 Infantry’s coordinated defense. Holding that link proved essential to sustained operations, allowing 2nd Brigade to retain its objectives in the heart of Baghdad.

  • 2-7 Infantry

    Founded in 1812, the “Cottonbalers” first gained fame with their stubborn defense from improvised fortifications made of cotton bales under Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. After experiencing combat in every major war from the Mexican American War through Operation Desert Storm, 2-7 Infantry spearheaded the attack into Baghdad International Airport, a key objective. Seizing and retaining the airport set conditions for both Thunder Runs. As the situation in the second Thunder Run became more dangerous, the battalion reinforced 3-15 Infantry at the southernmost road junction, allowing the current defenders to escort vital supply convoys north to the tank battalions.

  • 3rd ID Artillery Brigade

    The 3rd Infantry Division’s artillery nicknamed “Marne Thunder,” was organized into the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade supporting the 3rd Infantry Division’s combat operations during World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. Beginning with the initial breach into Iraq, artillery fires prepared the way for the maneuver brigades, allowing ground commanders to focus on the centers of resistance during the advance to Baghdad.

  • 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade

    Originally designated the 3rd Aviation Company, “Marne Air” was first activated in 1957 and was later transformed into the Army’s first Combat Aviation Brigade in a Mechanized Infantry Division. Since its reactivation in 1996, the brigade deployed to Kuwait, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iraq, and Afghanistan. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade served as a part of the main effort in the assault on Baghdad, where its helicopters effectively shaped the battlespace and enabled the 3rd Infantry Division to destroy the enemy and seize key terrain.

Featured Biographies

  • Major General (RET) Buford Blount

    MG (Ret) Buford “Buff” Blount attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where he commissioned into the Army as an armor officer. During his 33 years of service, he served in a variety of mechanized and armor units prior to commanding the 3rd Infantry Division during its rapid offensive from Kuwait to Baghdad in 2003. MG (Ret) Blount’s leadership proved instrumental to the success of the 3rd Infantry Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

  • Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin

    The Honorable Lloyd Austin graduated from West Point in 1975 and served as the 3rd Infantry Division Assistant Division Commander (Maneuver) during the division’s offensive operations into Iraq in 2003 and coined the phrase “Rock of the Marne, the Tigris, and the Euphrates.” During his 41-year career in the Army he commanded at every echelon, serving as commanding general for U.S. Central Command, and as the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army prior to becoming the Secretary of Defense in 2021.

  • General (Ret) David Perkins

    GEN (Ret) David Perkins served as the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, commander during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. GEN (Ret) Perkins graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1980, commissioning as an armor officer. For his valor during the Thunder Runs into Baghdad in 2003, Colonel Perkins was awarded the Silver Star. He later commanded the 4th Infantry Division, served as the Commandant of the United States Army Command and General Staff College and Commander of the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command before retiring in 2018. GEN (Ret) Perkins currently serves at West Point as the Class of 1966 Chair for the Professional Military Ethic.

  • Sergeant First Class Paul Ray Smith

    Sergeant First Class (SFC) Paul Ray Smith was a platoon sergeant in B Company, 11th Engineer Battalion of the 3rd Infantry Division as a part of the invasion of Iraq in 2003. SFC Smith’s company supported 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, through the Karbala Gap, across the Euphrates River, and to Baghdad International Airport. On April 4, 2003, while 3rd Infantry Division soldiers were securing the airport, SFC Smith and his unit came under intense enemy fire that threatened the well-being of American casualties and the security of his company. SFC Smith, without regard for his own safety, returned fire with a vehicle-mounted machine gun that prevented the enemy from overrunning the American position. SFC Smith was fatally wounded during the engagement, selflessly sacrificing himself for the mission and his soldiers. His heroic defense defeated the Iraqi counterattack and saved the lives of dozens of wounded soldiers. For his valorous actions he was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

  • Staff Sergeant Stevon Alexander Booker

    Staff Sergeant (SSG) Stevon Alexander Booker was assigned to A Company, 1st Battalion, 64th Armored Regiment, during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. During the first Thunder Run on April 5, 2003, SSG Booker’s unit came under heavy small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire from enemy elements. SSG Booker coordinated fire against the enemy element from his tank-mounted machine guns. When the machine guns malfunctioned, SSG Booker engaged the enemy elements with his personal weapon. With little regard for his own well-being, SSG Booker placed accurate fire that successfully disrupted the enemy’s attempt to outmaneuver his unit. During the engagement, SSG Booker was mortally wounded, but his actions inspired his fellow soldiers to continue towards their objective and complete their mission. SSG Booker was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in 2019. The Army has named its new armored vehicle, the M10 Booker, after SSG Stevon A. Booker and World War II Medal of Honor recipient Private Robert D. Booker.

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