MSOR puts spouses ‘In Their Boots’

Courtesy Photo | Spouses of service members with United States Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command trained with zodiacs during the third annual In Their Boots day hosted by Marine Special Operations Regiment at Stone Bay aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, June 6. “We want to give them the experience of what their spouses go through daily, so that they can experience how we operate and how we train,” said Capt. Michael Madia, commanding officer, Headquarters Company, MSOR.  

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES

06.06.2014

Story by Cpl. Donovan Lee 

Marine Forces, Special Operations Command

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Spouses of service members with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command participated in the In Their Boots day hosted by Marine Special Operations Regiment at Stone Bay aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 6.

Twice a year, MSOR hosts the event for spouses who want to experience some of the training Marines here undergo.

“We want to give them the experience of what their spouses go through daily, so that they can experience how we operate and how we train,” said Capt. Michael Madia, commanding officer, Headquarters Company, MSOR.

Throughout the day, spouses rappelled, operated zodiacs, performed a modified Combat Fitness Test and fired the M4A1 service rifle as well as the M1911 .45 caliber pistol.

“The event offers the chance for spouses to test their strength, endurance and bravery in order to gain a better understanding of the types of training their loved ones complete,” said Kasey Timberlake, the family readiness officer for MSOR.

Critical Skills Operators led spouses through each event and offered
guidance and support. The events were both physically and mentally challenging for most, which seemed to cultivate a bond between everyone who participated.

“Nothing brings people closer together than a shared task or adventure, and many of these activities require the participants to rely heavily on each other and their active-duty team leaders,” said Timberlake.

MSOR completed the event with a cookout, providing an opportunity for spouses to talk with each other and some of the CSO’s who led them through events.

“We hope the spouses not only have fun and network, but also walk away with an even greater appreciation for their Marines’ or sailors’ importance as part of the MSOR team,” said Timberlake.

• Date Taken: 06.06.2014
• Date Posted: 06.19.2014 15:52
• Story ID: 133676
• Location: MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US