MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Many military spouses work at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and help the station run smoothly, but few may know firsthand about the struggles Marines and sailors go through on a regular basis.
Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Jane Wayne Day gave them a rare opportunity to look at the station through the eyes of a servicemember May 19.
Military spouses, mothers and fathers got together to participate in a multitude of events ranging from the gas chamber to pugil sticks.
One of the main events participants went through was a modified Combat Fitness Test.
“I appreciate every single Marine who has to put himself through a CFT,” said Christiana M. Sanders, H&HS command deck secretary and Marine spouse.
Along with the events, Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighters and Provost Marshal's Office K-9 unit put on demonstrations.
“Every time I can participate in a Jane Wayne Day it really gives me that much more appreciation for my father, who is a retired Marine, and my husband, who is a Marine, and all those other Marines out there,” said Sanders.
Jane Wayne Day lets family members experience parts of Marine Corps life to provide shared experience and understanding.
“Just as we have an appreciation for keeping the porch lights on and taking care of the home for us, I hope they have that appreciation for what we do every single day,” said Maj. Bernard Hess, H&HS executive officer.
Just like the day itself, all of the events were voluntary and some participants found themselves doing things for the first time.
“Not everyone is comfortable doing certain things,” said Hess.“They stepped out of their comfort zones and did things they don’t normally do,” said Hess. “I think that gives us an appreciation being able to say ‘Wow, that’s my wife out there doing that today.’ I think she has a better appreciation saying, ‘Wow, that’s what you do every single day?’”
While some events called for individual performance, others fostered the spirit of cooperation so integral to the Marine Corps' sense of mission accomplishment.
“As a senior drill instructor, I really envisioned these spouses as recruits, giving that motivation to get them through training,” said Sgt. Maj. Peter W. Ferral, H&HS sergeant major. “Getting those spouses who are used to being more individualistic to work together, it is amazing to watch how they responded to the mind-set of ‘We’re team A’.”