Sailors and Marines assigned to Marine Corps Security Force Battalion at Naval Base Kitsap (NBK) Bangor spent the afternoon tangling
themselves in knots, battling each other in combat dodge ball and pulling an armored tactical vehicle during a battalion-wide
competition July 17.
The event, dubbed “The Olympics,” featured 10 events such as an 11-General Orders relay race, tire-flipping race, the human knot
and tug of war. 
Nearly 350 Sailors and Marines formed 12 teams and battled it out during one of their last chances to have some fun as a group
before going under the wire or taking over security duties.
Sgt. Maj. Brent Cook, one of the Games’ organizers, said the event was aimed at keeping everybody in shape, but while adding
some fun to the training.  He added that the event was in honor of the upcoming 2008 Olympics.
Most, if not all the Sailors and Marines, including their Bulldog Tank, assigned to the security battalion welcomed the unique
physical training.
“I think it was a great idea,” said Pfc. Michael Nolan from team ‘First Graders.’ “It’s fun, competitive and outside the box.”
Nolan, who’s only been with the battalion for a month, said he hopes this type of group activity continues in the future. 
After going under the wire, the Sailors and Marines won’t have much time for physical training, let alone group events like the
Olympics. By combining physical training with fun and competition, some of the participants believe the Olympics go beyond
just keeping in shape.
For the half of the battalion that was holding down the security duties and did not have the time to participate in the event, the
battalion plans to hold another Olympics sometime during the coming weeks.
“Things like this definitely build camaraderie,” said Master-at-Arms Seaman Chris Bush from team ‘Chill’.  “We’re probably doing
just as much, if not more exercise, but it’s a lot more fun.”