Photo By Kristen Wong | Jane Wayne Day participant Jenna Honnefer carries ammo cans around obstacles during a...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Kaneohe Bay - “First platoon, atten-HUT!” screamed Master Gunnery Sgt. Troy Sawyer, regimental operations chief, 3rd Marine Regiment.
In unison, feet in pairs of colored sneakers in formation came together.
“Poooort-ARMS!” Sawyer screamed once again.
Fingers with bright nail polish wrapped around rubber training rifles. Sweat pours down Sawyer’s face as he reprimands a new “recruit” for smiling, though he can’t help smiling himself every now and then. He gave the spouses of 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, an 85 percent for their very first lesson in military formation movements, or “drill,” during Jane Wayne Day, Feb. 15.
Jane Wayne Day was popular with the spouses last year, and several requested it again, according to Cheryl Chiu, the family readiness officer for 3/3.
“They asked for it, we got it,” Chiu said.
Chiu said Jane Wayne Day is an event that “builds camaraderie among the spouses,” and gives them an idea of what their husbands do on a daily basis.
Staff Sgt. Issac Kemp, deputy family readiness officer, 3/3, said coordinating Jane Wayne Day was humbling, as he said he does not normally share details of his workday with his wife. Kemp said having the spouses experience “a little bit of what we do will help establish communication between spouses,” and in turn, makes their marriage stronger."
“You just hear him talk about [his job], but you will never truly understand until you walk in his shoes,” said participant Renee Rojas, who has been married to a Marine for a year.
Rojas said one of the challenges she had was learning how to pivot on her foot during “drill.” She said having someone yelling at them during “drill” put more pressure on them, and she was motivated to do the best she could.
Though Rojas was scared at first of participating in Jane Wayne Day, she is proud that she went through it.
“I can tell my husband ‘now I know what you do,’” she said.
Chiu said the unit holds at least five events each month for the families of 3/3, with one of the events dedicated to the spouses themselves.
“We [gave] the wives the opportunity to see if they have what it takes to be a United States Marine,” Chiu said.
The spouses dedicated most of their day to their Marine Corps “training,” through a series of activities. Contrary to last year, the Marines offered a bit more authentic experience by adding in a dash of “verbal correction,” in tones sharp enough to make hairs stand on end.
“To be a Marine, you have to be mentally tough,” said participant Katie Boyce. “It takes a special breed to want to be a part of this.”
Though she already had respect for the Marine Corps before, she said she gained even more by experiencing her second Jane Wayne Day. Boyce said she enjoyed experiencing “drill.”
“I don’t know how they keep a straight face,” Boyce said with a laugh. “I was dying laughing … I learned how terrible I was at ‘drilling.’”
Majority of the spouses’ training was behind the 3rd Marine Regiment armory on a basketball court and an open field. In the morning, the spouses received instruction in “drill,” where they learned how to stand properly in formation, carry a weapon, and execute facing movement. From “drill,” the spouses met with Marine Corps Martial Arts Program instructors.
Gunnery Sgt. Kevin Lawson, staff non-commissioned officer in charge of the 3/3 Remain Behind Element, watched his wife participate in Jane Wayne Day exercises.
“I give her a ‘good-to-go,’” Lawson said of his wife’s performance in “drill.” “They got the crash course in the five purposes for ‘drill’ today. [Drill helps] instill instant obedience to orders.”
Lawson said during the 13 weeks of basic training, the Marines will practice and perfect their skills in military formation movements.
“I think [Jane Wayne Day] helps [my wife] to understand what we have to endure throughout our military careers, and why we do what we do,” Lawson said.
The spouses then received lessons in self-defense with Marine Corps Martial Arts Program instructors.
Service members demonstrated several moves such as how to properly apply a chokehold, kick and punch.
“I liked everything about the day,” said participant Elena Gold.
This was the first Jane Wayne Day for Gold, who has been married to a Marine for about eight years. Gold was already familiar with the drill, having been in the Merchant Marine Academy in the past. She said one of the most challenging parts of the day was learning how to shoot weapons at the Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer.
While at the ISMT, the spouses learned how to shoot M4 Carbines and M9 9 mm pistols. A video projection on a screen in front of the attendees displayed moving targets.
“My arm was about to fall off,” Gold said about her experience using the weapon. “I have a newfound respect [for what the Marines do].”
After lunch at Anderson Hall Dining Facility, the spouses completed a modified Combat Fitness Test, doing a series of sprints, burpees, crawls and carrying ammo cans across the field behind the armory. They then headed for the Combat Convoy Simulator before rounding out the day with special awards.
“It’s a great way to learn what your husband does every day,” Boyce said. “It gives you respect for what they do.”
| Date Taken: | 02.17.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 02.17.2012 21:53 |
| Story ID: | 84035 |
| Location: | KANEOHE BAY, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 728 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, America’s Battalion spouses get a taste of the Corps, by Kristen Wong, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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