Keeping fit and healthy is a family affair, and this month, spouse fitness is in the spotlight as commands all over Naval Base Kitsap join in the 6th annual Military Spouse Command Cup.

Throughout the month of May, the ladies and gents who proudly stand behind our service men and women will take a step to the forefront to compete and hopefully bring home the Command Cup trophy as well as the bragging rights that come along with it. Spouses will record their mileage in all kinds of fitness activities, from walking to biking to swimming. Teams are formed based on command, and the command team that logs the most miles by the end of the month will win it all.

Everyone who competes will win a Military Spouse Challenge dog tag, but only one command will bring home the Cup, and competition is fierce.

Randi Saelinger, president of the USS Stennis Family Readiness Group, said her team won the Command Cup last year with nearly 3,000 miles logged, and it has every intention of at least matching that number to bring the trophy home again in 2016.

"We feel pretty confident this year," she said. "Some of our members are meeting up at the Y almost every day to walk and ride bikes. They're posting twenty to twenty-five miles per day."

The Stennis team is also planning group walk-outs so families can get together, earn their miles, and support one another throughout the competition.

Several submarine commands have jumped on board the fitness train as well, and they say it's time for a sub team to bring the Command Cup home.

USS Kentucky Gold FRG President April Kollmorgen said her team is keeping motivated by posting in a special Facebook group to cheer each other on, and its members are determined.

"Last year our command took fourth place, which is pretty good, but this year we want that trophy!" she said.

Alicia Brister of the USS Ohio Blue said while her team may be small, it has a different kind of secret weapon.

"One of our team members is a postal worker, and I'm an RN," she said. "You can log a lot of miles on a mail route or a twelve-hour shift on the hospital floor."

According to NBK Fitness Coordinator Lisa Bertolacci, there are already almost 150 competitors registered, and more are expected throughout the month.

"Spouses can register at any time throughout the month of May, but log sheets are due no later than June 3," she said.

The Military Spouse Command Cup is a favorite event among spouses all over Naval Base Kitsap each year. Teams see the competition as a fantastic way to get motivated to meet fitness goals but also a great way to support one another in both fitness goals and through deployments, and while the results of the Cup are all about the numbers, seeing spouses working together and getting healthy may be the biggest win of all.

For more information about the Military Spouse Command Cup or to register, visit www.navylifepnw.com or call the NBK Fitness Center at 360.315.2134.