Army-Navy Hype Heats Up As Leaders Trade Pre-Game Jabs

With the 126th Army-Navy Game fast approaching, the prerequisite social media trash talk has already begun to ramp up between Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Navy Secretary John Phelan.

Kick-off for the 2025 Army-Navy Game, between West Point’s Black Knights and the Naval Academy’s Midshipmen, is at 3:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 13, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland.

Army comes into the game at a disadvantage, with a 6-5 season compared to Navy’s 9-2 showing, but that did not stop Driscoll from taking the first shot with an X post calling out West Point’s longtime rivals.

“@SECNAV, hope you brought your life vest! The Black Knights are about to sink @NavyFB on Saturday. @WestPoint_USMA’s spirit rally on Friday is the appetizer and Saturday’s game is the main course… and @USNavy is on the menu,” Driscoll posted on Sunday.

.@SECNAV, hope you brought your life vest! ????????The Black Knights are about to sink @NavyFB on Saturday. @WestPoint_USMA’s spirit rally on Friday is the appetizer and Saturday’s game is the main course… and @USNavy is on the menu. ????️????️ pic.twitter.com/7xsxrnlsxE

— Secretary of the Army (@SecArmy) December 10, 2025

Phelan shot back, “I brought you tissues, a pacifier and diapers. Unfortunately you will need them Saturday, not for your kids, for yourself! GO NAVY, BEAT ARMY!”

.@SecArmy, I brought you tissues, a pacifier and diapers. Unfortunately you will need them Saturday, not for your kids, for yourself! GO NAVY, BEAT ARMY! https://t.co/c8G1GAQKYm

— Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan (@SECNAV) December 10, 2025

And then he followed up with another, adding, “Let me know if you need my corpsman’s information. Always happy to help the Army patch up after Saturday. GO NAVY, BEAT ARMY!”

.@SecArmy , let me know if you need my corpsman’s information. Always happy to help the Army patch up after Saturday.

GO NAVY, BEAT ARMY!@USNavy @USMC @NavalAcademy pic.twitter.com/NBFnehtQK3

— Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan (@SECNAV) December 11, 2025

Both teams on the field will be wearing uniforms designed to honor 250 years of service to country.

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The Army described the uniforms in a thread posted one month prior to game day, saying in part, “For the past 250 years, the United States Army has stood as America’s enduring symbol of service and sacrifice. Born in the desperate conditions of the American Revolution, the Army’s legacy is one of steadfast commitment to the defense of liberty, reflected in its motto, ‘This We’ll Defend.'”

For the past 250 years, the United States Army has stood as America’s enduring symbol of service and sacrifice.

Born in the desperate conditions of the American Revolution, the Army’s legacy is one of steadfast commitment to the defense of liberty, reflected in its motto, “This… pic.twitter.com/s02t82uDtq

— U.S. Army (@USArmy) November 13, 2025

The Navy’s team followed five days later with their own uniform unveiling.

Every detail was taken into consideration when @UnderArmour made these uniforms https://t.co/168T92kRln#GoNavy | #Navy250 pic.twitter.com/UIfdjjmWgb

— Navy Athletics (@NavyAthletics) November 18, 2025

And of course, the rivalry has infected Capitol Hill. Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) announced a friendly wager with Sens. Tim Sheehy (R-MT) — a former Navy SEAL — Todd Young (R-IN), and West Point graduate Jack Reed (D-RI).

“We’re 2 days away from America’s Game. I’m team Army, but @TimSheehyMT and @SenToddYoung are Navy fans. @SenJackReed and I challenge our colleagues to a friendly wager. If Navy wins, we’ll wear Navy gear. If (and when) Army wins, Senators Young and Sheehy will have to wear Army gear. Looking forward to a great game. Go Army, Beat Navy!”

We’re 2 days away from America’s Game. I’m team Army, but @TimSheehyMT and @SenToddYoung are Navy fans. @SenJackReed and I challenge our colleagues to a friendly wager. If Navy wins, we’ll wear Navy gear. If (and when) Army wins, Senators Young and Sheehy will have to wear Army… pic.twitter.com/I6NYBf0s31

— Senator Dave McCormick (@SenMcCormickPA) December 11, 2025

Even the United States Secret Service got into the rivalry with a video of two agents — one a West Point alumnus and one who’d graduated from the Naval Academy.

The Army–Navy rivalry brings incredible energy when @GoArmyWestPoint and @NavyAthletics meet on the field. Alumni and veterans in the Secret Service carry that friendly rivalry into their work. This year we will secure the December 13 game in Baltimore.#ArmyNavy #ArmyNavyGame pic.twitter.com/pPIFR3zzN5

— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) December 9, 2025

President Donald Trump said in late November that he planned to attend the game.