The Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman will again bring the excitement of postseason college football to the Washington, D.C., area Thursday while also supporting the USO and our nation’s military personnel.

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Now in its fifth year, The Military Bowl is projected to raise more than $100,000 for the USO while providing at least 5,000 complimentary tickets for active-duty military personnel and their families.

This year’s matchup pits Bowling Green (8-4) against No. 24 San Jose State (10-2). It will be the first meeting between the two teams. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. EST at RFK Stadium, and the game will be televised nationally on ESPN.

“We couldn’t be more excited,” Military Bowl Executive Director and President Steve Beck said. “This could potentially be the best matchup in our five-year history.”

The popular military village will also return for a second year. Located on the D.C. Armory Mall on the way to RFK Stadium, the village – along with a new outdoor tailgate – will be open from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on game day. Admission to the military village is free.

“The military village was wildly successful in its debut last year and we’re looking forward to an even better experience this year,” Beck said. “Nothing can replicate this event.”

Among the military displays scheduled are:

  • An MH-65 helicopter and crew
  • A 29-foot Coast Guard boat
  • A Navy SEAL pull-up challenge
  • Two Humvees and other large equipment from the Navy Seabees
  • A helicopter and three tactical vehicles from the Army National Guard
  • A helicopter, robot demonstration and K-9 demonstration from the Air Force
  • Two Mobile USO units with giveaways.

The rock and blues band Halfway to Concord will perform throughout the day, and a drill team performance will take place at 1:30 p.m. in front of the USO Metro Mobile. Food and beverages will be available for purchase from food trucks and vendors.

It’s not too late to get tickets, which are on sale at militarybowl.org, with prices starting at just $2.

–Story by Joseph Andrew Lee, USO Staff Writer