Competitive rivalries build on camaraderie Published Dec. 16, 2013 By Senior Airman Joshua Edwards 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The Army 344th Military Intelligence Battalion faced off against the Navy Center for Information Dominance Detachment for the annual Army versus Navy flag football game at the Mathis Fitness Center football field Dec. 11. This football game is part of a rivalry which dates back to 1890, when the Army and Navy competed in the first Army-Navy Game. This rivalry dates back quite a few years itself on Goodfellow with the first Army-Navy Game being played in 1980s, although the trophy only documents the last 11 matches. For this year's match-up, the Navy called on the Marines to contend with an Army team almost twice their size. "We have four Marines on our team," said Chief Petty Officer Shane Tuttle, CID flag football team assistant coach. "The Marines are an asset, it helps even the numbers." Both teams felt they had the upper hand in this match up and did some competitive trash talking, even Army Lt. Col. Devon Blake, 344th MIBN Commander, had a few words. "I absolutely think the Army will win," said Blake. "We have an advantage of pure numbers, innate determination and indelible spirit." Both teams boasted about their skills, fortitude and competitive attitude. Despite, of or maybe as a result of this massive rivalry dating back more than a century, each year this game proves to renew and strengthen the bonds between the sister services. "It's all about one team, one fight," said Blake. "There is nothing better than pulling together service members for a friendly rivalry. It helps build morale and you can see them out there having a good time." The Navy fought up until the final down, but once all was said and done the Army walked away with a victory of 27 to 6, securing themselves as 2013 Army-Navy victors and adding one more name to the Army-Navy Goodfellow trophy that reads Army.
