MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Spouses of Marines and sailors with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, Marine Aircraft Group 12, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12, Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 and Combat Logistics Company 36 were dressed in a variety of different combat utility uniforms and physical training gear ready for Jane Wayne Day here Oct. 21.
Forty-four women signed up for the opportunity to step into their husband’s boots for the day.
“Today you’re going to live part of the dream that your significant others live every day,” said Col. Christopher Mahoney, MAG-12 commanding officer. “You’ll get a look at how we condition ourselves, physically get to run around and get a little bit sweaty.”
Participants soon realized how their day would go when former drill instructors Gunnery Sgt. Fabio Salas, Gunnery Sgt. Demarcus Charleston, and Gunnery Sgt. Paris Mintz greeted them by barking orders.
The women were now recruits on their way to becoming Marines.
The drill instructors lined up participants in a formation signifying day one at recruit training and the yellow footprints every recruit steps on upon arriving to Marine Corps Recruiting Depot Parris Island and San Diego.
“Congratulations on your decision to join the United States Marine Corps,” said Salas. “It is a decision you will not regret. You are now aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, and you’ve just taken the first step to becoming a member of the world’s finest fighting force, The United States Marine Corps.”
The Women formed two groups and drill instructors ordered the Jane Wayne Day participants to load up on busses and proceeded to the day’s events.
Jane Wayne Day participants were able to go through a modified combat fitness test and they raced through an inflatable obstacle course.
They were given a tour of a static display with different vehicles Marines use.
The day also consisted of a trip to the Indoor Small-Arms Range where they practiced handling and shooting M16A2 service rifles and M9 pistols at the Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer, a visit to an F/A-18 flight simulator, and Marine Corps Martial Arts training.
For lunch spouses ate with Marines and sailors at the mess hall.
“The food wasn’t bad at all,” said Oriana Prado, Jane Wayne Day participant. “The grilled cheese was really good. I would definitely go sometimes if we had the option.”
Spouses explored many different facets of Marine life and one of the main purposes was to give spouses a closer look at what their husbands do on a day-to-day basis.
“Jane Wayne Day allows spouses to see what it’s like to be sent through a day very similar to boot camp,” said Keeya Charleston, MAG- 12 Family Readiness Officer and Jane Wayne Day coordinator. “I think it opens their eyes more, as far as what their significant other goes through. A lot of the time, spouses only see them being gone on deployments and they’re left at home. I think Jane Wayne Day helps them see what they went through to be where they are right now.”
Jane Wayne Day tested spouse’s strength, mentally and physically opening their eyes, not only to what their husband’s do but also to their own capabilities.
They were given a new perspective on Marine life.