MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Decked out in their husband’s utilities and physical training gear, spouses were given a chance to experience a day in the life of a Marine during the Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 Jane Wayne Day here Saturday.
Jane Wayne days are used throughout the armed services to give spouses a chance to experience what their husbands or wives go through during training and on a daily basis.
“It was really just a crash course for all of us on what our husbands do from time to time,” said Deborah Martinez, Jane Wayne Day participant.
Approximately 40 wives were split into two groups and were taken to receive a quick, five-minute demonstration on how to fashion their hair into a sock-bun.
After their how-to class, one group threw on flacks and kevlars and piled into 7-ton trucks, while the other group put on their husband’s packs and filed into formation.
The Jane Wayne Day consisted of a .3-mile hike to Penny Lake, a trip to the Indoor Small Arms Range where they were given the chance to shoot off 15 rounds from M-16A2 service rifles, the gas chamber, a modified combat fitness test, training in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program and lunch at the southside mess hall.
Many of the participants were anxious as they went into the day’s events, but eventually their uneasy thoughts dissipated as they took on the role of their husbands for the day.
“The hardest part was the unknown,” said Martinez. “I was worried about the challenges they were going to put us through, whether it was going to be hard or difficult, or whether I was going to embarrass myself.”
The first group of participants piled into the ISAR classroom to receive their weapons safety brief, recited weapons safety rules recruit-style, and entered the range to shoot off 15 rounds from M-16A2 service rifles.
Most of the women had never held a weapon, let alone shot one. Some of them caught on quickly and even landed some of the shots in the black, while others were startled and frightened by the sound and the recoil of the weapon.
“My favorite part of today was the rifle range,” said Ana Lora, Jane Wayne Day participant. “I picked it up really fast, and for it being my first time, I did really well.”
While the first group was busy at the range, the other group of wives humped to Penny Lake to participate in their very own CFT and MCMAP training.
As they made their way through the course, other participants helped by cheering each other on while they struggled with low crawls and ammo cans.
Many of the spouses said that the day’s events gave them a better understanding of what their husbands do.
“Women should definitely consider doing this at least once,” said Martinez. “It really opened my eyes to what they do, and it was a great learning experience.”
Throughout the day, the group grew closer by working together, getting to know one another, and experiencing what their Marines go through each day.