Discipline vs. The Drill: Thoughts on Army-Navy 2025

army navy gmae 2025

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Discipline vs. The Drill: Thoughts on Army-Navy 2025

The stage is set. On December 13, 2025, the Army-Navy game heads to Baltimore.

This isn't just another installment of "America's Game." This year carries the weight of history, explicitly honoring the 250th Anniversary of the United States Navy. The atmosphere at M&T Bank Stadium is going to be heavy, historical, and loud.

But every time I watch these games, I find myself caught in the same thought loop about athleticism, discipline, and what we are actually watching.

The Paradox of Performance

The assumption is simple: The military is the pinnacle of discipline. Therefore, the military games should be far superior in execution. But the reality on the field often looks different than a polished SEC Saturday. Why?

It comes down to allocation of focus. An NFL or top-tier college player is a specialist. They can spend all day, every day, learning one specific drill, perfecting a single route, or memorizing a coverage.

A Service Academy player doesn't have that luxury. They can't spend 12 hours a day learning a drill unrelated to—as I like to call it—"murder (in the good way)." They are training for a different kind of contact.

The "General Deployment" What-If

If the teams didn't come from the schools—if they were pulled straight from general deployment—what would that game look like?

Imagine a defensive line composed of guys pulled off a destroyer who are used to the boat rocking beneath their feet, or linebackers straight out of a heavy infantry rotation.

It wouldn't be pretty football. It wouldn't be technical. But the resilience would be off the charts. It’s the difference between "game shape" and "survival shape."

The Pick

The truth is, I know nothing of what is to come. That uncertainty leaves a person vulnerable to looking like an idiot, but it also means the possibilities are endless.

In a world of uncertainty, you have to pick a side. Despite the Navy’s big anniversary and the home-field feel of Baltimore...

I’m going Army.

Who you got?