| Unit Name: | Marine Corps Security Force Battalion Bangor |
| Dates: | 1896–present |
| Country: | United States |
| Branch: | United States Marine Corps |
| Type: | Specialty battalion |
| Role: | National Strategic Asset Security |
| Commander1: | LtCol Ian Dunlap |
| Commander1 Label: | Commanding officer |
| Commander2: | SgtMaj Kevin Fontenot |
| Commander2 Label: | Battalion Sergeant Major |
| Commander3: | Travis Bailey |
| Commander3 Label: | Command Master Chief |
| Garrison: | Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Washington |
| Motto: | Absolutus Denego (Absolute Denial) 2008-Present Previously: Mors de Contactus (Death on Contact) 1978-2008 |
| Nickname: | Bangor Marines |
| Anniversaries: | September 16, 1896 |
The Marine Corps Security Force Battalion Bangor (MCSFBn Bangor) is part of the Marine Corps Security Force Regiment. Its mission is to provide dedicated security support to Strategic Weapons Facility, Pacific (SWFPAC) operations.
MCSFBn Bangor traces its lineage back to the establishment of the former Marine Barracks, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard on Sept. 16, 1896. The Barracks has since grown steadily in size and responsibility. On July 2, 2008, the unit was re-designated as Marine Corps Security Force Battalion, Bangor.
1896-1960
1964–Present
The following unit and campaign awards have been awarded to MCSFBn Bangor:
Navy/Marine Corps Navy Unit Citation (NUC) Streamer
Navy/Marine Corps Meritorious Unit Citation (MUC) Streamer with 4 Bronze Stars
World War I Victory Streamer
American Defense Service Streamer
American Campaign Service Streamer
World War II Victory Streamer
National Defense Service Streamer with 3 Bronze Stars
Global War on Terrorism Service Streamer
The majority of the Navy personnel assigned are Masters-At-Arms specialist, while the majority of the Marines are Infantrymen.
Marines assigned to the battalion are assigned a secondary Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of 8152 (Marine Corps Security Force Guard).
Junior Marines come direct to the unit after receiving their basic training at one of the Marine Corps Recruit Depots, followed by the School of Infantry (to become infantrymen) and Marine Corps Security Forces Training Company (for security forces specific training). Junior Marines on their first enlistment typically serve two years with the unit before receiving orders to a standard Marine Infantry battalion for the rest of their enlistment.
NCO's, SNCO's, and Officers may come from virtually any MOS in the Marine Corps, and are typically have at least four years in the Marine Corps. NCO's and above are considered to be on a career enhancing "B-billet", or Special Duty Assignment, and typically serve three years with the battalion.
All personnel assigned to the unit must meet the vigorous standards of the Navy's Personnel Reliability Program (PRP). Failure to meet and maintain these standards results in reassignment to a conventional unit in the Fleet. Losing one's clearance can also be punished under the UCMJ.
All junior Marines assigned to MCSFBn Bangor must have completed the following training:
NCO's typically attend the same training as the junior Marines, while SNCOs and Officers attend a shortened supervisor's course.
The Battalion is organized into several Marine Guard Platoons and Navy Master-At-Arms Divisions. There is also a Recapture Tactics Team (RTT) organic to the battalion. Details regarding the exact organization, operations, and facilities is confidential information, covered by federal non-disclosure agreements.
Externally, MCSFBn operationally reports to SWFPAC, while administratively answering to Marine Corps Security Force Regiment. MCSFBn also interacts with the U.S. Department of Energy, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, and the U.S. Strategic Command.
In addition to its guard mission, the MCSFBn maintains a Ceremonial Drill Team which is the only one of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. The unit is active at a number of regional civic and sporting events and unit sponsored summer parades. All of these functions are in addition to each Marine being a member of the guard force. The annual Summer Parade has been hosted by the battalion every summer since 1977.
| Dates: | 1987 - present |
| Unit Name: | Recapture Tactics Team |
| Nickname: | CQB Cowboys |
| Motto: | "Speed, Surprise, and Violence of Action" |
The Recapture Tactics Team (RTT) specializes in SWAT procedures. Marines and Sailors are given an opportunity, if the Command allows them, to try out for RTT. Typically, only a small fraction of the Marines and Sailors who are permitted to try out for CQB Platoon are actually selected from the grueling two-week selection process. Those who are selected then have a tactical spin-up (a period of intensive preparatory training,) before reporting to USMC CQB School where they undergo an intensive seven-week advanced combat marksmanship and dynamic assault course. The Marines and Sailors learn to violently recapture and take back by force, the United States personnel and property that has been stolen or otherwise compromised.
All RTT Marines attend the Close Quarter Battle School, which is 7 weeks long (not including platoon tryouts, spin-ups, and the post-Schoolhouse breaking in period.) Afterward, they are eligible to attend the following courses, pending their command's approval:
On 14 January 1989, an 18- year-old Marine shot himself in the head with his M-16 rifle while stationed in a guard tower. A Navy investigation revealed discrepancies with his behavior that were not reported as required under the PRP program. A Stanford University report below in the external links portion provides additional details.
In July 2001, a V-150 armored vehicle rolled over. Two 20-year-old Marines died of injuries and three other Marines were injured. A 2001 Kitsap Sun article below in the external links portion provides additional details.
In November 2009, 5 senior citizens were arrested after breaching the base perimeter security and attempting to gain access to one of the restricted areas of the base. A 2009 Kitsap Sun article below in the external links section provides additional details.
The 2006 book "Blood Stripes: The Grunt's View of the War in Iraq" was written by a former Marine officer who had served at Bangor and follows several junior Marines from their time at Bangor through the war in Iraq and onwards to their civilian life.
Former Marine Sgt Jarrett Kraft was stationed with (then) MCSFCo Bangor's 1st Platoon before serving in Iraq where he earned the Navy Cross in Dec. 2004. One of the Marines he was attempting to aid was Lance Corporal Eric Hillenburg, who had also served with Kraft at Bangor. LCPL Hillenburg died of wounds received during the battle. Details on both are provided below in the external links section.