FORT GREELY, ALASKA — Interior Alaska is no place for the timid or weak. Weeks of darkness and extreme, bone-chilling cold in the winter take its toll on even the strongest creatures. It’s unforgiving, unapologetic, and really no surprise why those who live and work on Fort Greely are known as “Rugged Professionals.”
Military units are steeped in tradition … often symbolized by their unit crest, or logo. When a person sees the 82nd Airborne’s patch, they know where that Soldier calls home. How about the “Big Red 1?” Also known as the “Fighting First,” it’s the oldest continuously serving division in the regular Army … would you recognize its crest?
“Rugged Professionals need a mascot, a symbol we can rally behind as a team … as a family,” said Fort Greely Garrison Commander, Lt. Col. Keith Marshall. “When we say Rugged Professional, it needs to invoke an image … one that illustrates strength and resilience.”
A little more than a month into his tenure, the commander engaged my assistance. He stated his intent, and the process to define Fort Greely’s brand was underway. Honored to be commissioned as the artist, I started exploring Fort Greely’s unique location and mission. We also decided as a team, the mascot must hold cultural significance, and during the course of the next nine months, we socialized many variations. We had wolves, bears, eagles … but it’s the raven that kept rising to the top of everyone’s list of favorites.
Symbolizing Strength and Resilience
Knowing nature’s challenges test even the hardiest, the raven thrives. Known for its intelligence, adaptability, and perseverance, this remarkable bird exemplifies strength and resilience — qualities that parallel the attributes of Fort Greely’s personnel. Just as the raven endures and flourishes in harsh conditions, so too do the men and women of Fort Greely, who embody professionalism and determination in their service. However, the raven is so much more. Beyond its physical attributes, the raven holds profound cultural significance for Alaska’s Indigenous communities. Among many Native Alaskan cultures, particularly the Tlingit, Haida, and Yupik peoples, the raven is revered as a creator, a trickster, and a source of wisdom. It is celebrated in countless legends and stories as a bearer of light and a symbol of transformation. In Tlingit mythology, the raven is credited with bringing daylight to the world, a metaphor for illumination, knowledge, and hope. These stories highlight the raven’s role as a connector between realms, bridging the spiritual and the natural worlds. By adopting the raven as its mascot, Fort Greely honors this rich heritage and emphasizes its commitment to respecting and integrating the values of the region’s first peoples.
A Shared Identity
The adoption of the raven as Fort Greely’s mascot symbolizes more than strength and cultural respect; it signifies a shared identity. Just as the raven is a unifying figure in the Alaskan wilderness, so too does Fort Greely serve as a gathering place for individuals from diverse backgrounds united in purpose. The raven’s watchful gaze and steadfast spirit now serve as a beacon for what it means to be a Rugged Professional — dedicated, adaptable, and enduring.
“The choice of the Raven as Fort Greely’s emblem was made with thoughtful deliberation,” said Garrison Deputy to the Commander, Scott Enlow. “The raven embodies values that resonate deeply with the installation’s mission, environment, and community. It is strong, it is a survivor, and it thrives against all odds.”
Once command reached its final decision on the raven, they also decided they wanted to create a challenge coin depicting its new mascot. Prominent on the front of the coin, the raven stands strong and proud deep in the mountains under the Northern Lights. The coin’s flip side was also designed in a deliberate manner to honor and highlight our teammates. A compass rose facing the north is set as the background. A diverse workforce featuring a police officer, a firefighter, a Soldier, two civilian workers and a public works specialist sit behind Army, U.S. Space and Missile Defense Command, and Installation Management Command crests. Behind the workforce … a live missile launch honors those we support and the homeland we defend … highlighted by the words IMCOM employees embody daily, “Providing a home on the high ground.”
Honored to Serve
A few days ago, my mission came to an end. The challenge coins arrived to Garrison Headquarters, and I was able to take a sneak peak. As the brand/coin creator, I couldn’t be more proud, and I hope everyone agrees it’s a solid representation of our community. But as proud as I am of the coin, and the branding, I’m even more proud of this tiny installation we call home. To me, Fort Greely, even with all its quirks, is not only a place where I get the privilege to work everyday, it’s a community of real friends … true patriots … who no matter the challenge, stand strong and resilient in the Last Frontier. I feel honored to have created this legacy piece for all of us, and it’s a memory for me that will last a lifetime.
As Fort Greely moves forward with this new symbol, the command team invites the broader Team Greely community to embrace the lessons of the raven: to persist through challenges, honor cultural heritage, and thrive together in the face of adversity. Truly, the raven is a fitting emblem for the unique spirit of Fort Greely.
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