The grey uniform shirt is more than just apparel for Team Rubicon; it embodies the organization’s spirit of service, dedication, and selflessness. Annually, tens of thousands of volunteers proudly don this simple grey shirt as they commit to making a tangible difference in communities worldwide.
This unassuming grey shirt has become so intrinsically linked to Team Rubicon that the volunteers themselves are known as “Greyshirts.” They strive daily to “earn their shirt,” upholding the legacy established by the volunteers who came before them. While these shirts often start their service pristine, they rarely remain so for long, becoming badges of honor after deployments.
But where did this now-iconic grey shirt originate for Team Rubicon? Let’s delve into the history.
Humble Beginnings: A Makeshift Uniform for the First Mission
When Team Rubicon embarked on its inaugural mission to Haiti, the formal organization we recognize today was not yet established. It wasn’t a registered non-profit, and the team consisted of just four volunteers. In the chaotic 48 hours between deciding to respond to the Haiti earthquake and their arrival, quick decisions were necessary, including the creation of a makeshift uniform. The team, then just a group of individuals, named themselves “Rubicon” and assembled a uniform from military BDU pants paired with navy blue Milwaukee Fire Department shirts. This was an attempt to project an air of officiality, although neither the military nor the Milwaukee Fire Department officially sanctioned the mission. Since then, Team Rubicon has maintained a policy against volunteers wearing military attire on international operations.
Team Rubicon's initial uniform comprised Marine Corps BDU trousers and Milwaukee Fire Department shirts. From left to right: Jeff Lange, Jake Wood, Dr. Dave Griswell, Craig Parello, and William McNulty at the Haiti-Dominican border.
This improvised uniform served Team Rubicon effectively in Port-au-Prince. However, upon returning to the United States and committing to building a more structured disaster response organization, the co-founders began considering a more appropriate and standardized uniform. Time was of the essence. Just weeks after the Haiti mission, Chile was struck by a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake and tsunami, prompting Team Rubicon to mobilize again swiftly.
Serendipity in the Clearance Rack: The Grey Shirt Emerges
Facing an urgent need for supplies and a more cohesive look for the rapidly deploying team, they headed to a local REI store. Someone suggested that to appear unified, they should all wear the same shirt. Naturally budget-conscious, they gravitated towards the clearance rack, seeking a single color available in various sizes. The limited options were white, black, light blue, and grey. White was deemed impractical due to dirt, black too hot for disaster zones, and light blue was simply not considered. Grey became the default choice. Each volunteer purchased two grey shirts in their respective sizes and proceeded to Chile.
The grey shirt made its debut on Operation Fuerza Chile. Five volunteers, including William McNulty, Clay Hunt, Mark Hayward, Zach Smith, and one of the founders, spent over a week working with the Chilean military and providing medical aid in remote coastal villages.
The inaugural grey shirts, purchased from REI before the Chile deployment. From left to right: Mark Hayward, Zach Smith, and Clay Hunt in the back of an ambulance in Chile.
Returning from Chile, the focus shifted to solidifying Team Rubicon’s brand identity. Collaboration with designer Sarah Lenger, who is also the founder’s sister, led to the creation of a logo. After a creative process, Sarah presented initial designs, and one stood out: a cross on its side with the Rubicon River flowing through it. After some refinements, the iconic TR “X” logo was born. This symbol would later be embraced by hundreds of volunteers through tattoos, signifying their deep commitment.
The shirt design needed to be impactful. As a nascent organization, prominently displaying Team Rubicon’s name across the front was crucial for recognition. Initially, in 2010, the vision was primarily focused on international medical missions. Early back-of-shirt designs included the words “medic” or “doctor” translated into seven languages: English, Spanish, French, Mandarin, Hindi, Russian, and Arabic, reflecting this initial focus.
However, something was still missing. Given that Team Rubicon is largely a volunteer organization, many responders would be meeting for the first time in the field. After discussion, the distinctive white box was added to the shirt design, intended for volunteers to write their names, fostering a sense of personal connection and team cohesion even among strangers.
The Endorsement and the Official Grey
The most crucial decision regarding the uniform was the shirt color. The grey shirts worn in Chile were a matter of convenience and available options. As discussions about a more permanent uniform color continued, a pivotal phone call occurred. A founder received a call from his friend, Joe Thomas, a professional football player. Joe, an Under Armour athlete, offered to connect Team Rubicon with the sports apparel company, suggesting they might donate gear to this disaster response group. Under Armour agreed to donate excess inventory, which happened to be grey, moisture-wicking shirts.
Greyshirts with the Team Rubicon logo were first utilized in service during a Pakistan deployment in late 2010. Pictured: Matt Pelak and William McNulty.
And just like that, Team Rubicon’s now-famous grey uniform shirt was officially established.
The shirt’s design has remained largely consistent since 2010. The most significant alteration was replacing the medically focused back design with the simpler, more versatile “X” logo.
While the grey uniform has been in use since mid-2010, the term “Greyshirt” truly gained momentum around 2015. In that year, organizational values were formalized and codified by the leadership team. Inspired by the military’s objective-driven ethos of “Mission Accomplishment, Troop Welfare,” Team Rubicon developed the value statement “Mission First, Greyshirts Always.” Recognizing that Team Rubicon volunteers are exceptional individuals with a unique dedication, the name “Greyshirts” was embraced to reflect their special status. The aim was for Team Rubicon to be more than just an activity but a way of life, fostering a strong sense of identity among volunteers. The founder also admits inspiration from the “Blackshirts,” the nickname of the dominant Nebraska Cornhuskers football defenses of the 1990s, known for their black practice jerseys awarded to starting defensive players.
The domestic version of the Greyshirt being used during Team Rubicon’s response to the Joplin, MO, tornado in 2011. Photo: Nicole Green hauls away debris.
In the years since Team Rubicon’s inception, Greyshirts have served across six continents and in all 50 U.S. states. Around the globe, people find renewed hope watching volunteers in grey shirts arrive in their communities to offer aid. Simultaneously, these volunteers experience a profound sense of purpose each time they pull on their grey uniform shirt.
To every Greyshirt serving worldwide, your commitment and service are deeply appreciated.
