Marine Corps Air Stations Futenma -- Commands of execution and vicious screams rang loud in the participants’ ears as they quickly learned to follow every order with intensity and without hesitation or question.
These spouses experienced a little of what it takes their Marines to earn the eagle, globe and anchor emblem every day.
Marine Air Control Squadron 4 hosted a Jane Wayne day Jan. 30 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to give Marine spouses a taste of the experiences that their Marines endure, and to resolve common misconceptions about the Marine Corps.
“(Jane Wayne day) is an event designed to either introduce or further explain the Marine Corps and what (the spouses’ Marines) do on a regular basis,” said 1st Lt. Nathan D. Romig, a squadron-training officer with MACS-4, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
The event began with the participants meeting their “drill instructors,” which is the first step enlisted Marines take before earning the title Marine.
“It was (eye-opening) for us to experience and understand a little bit of what our husbands go through in boot camp,” said Jessica L. Abreu, a substitute teacher for Lester Middle School on Camp Lester and wife of Chief Warrant Officer Sergio Abreu.
The event also consisted of various challenges such as running the obstacle course, effectively defending themselves using Marine Corps Martial Arts Program techniques, and firing a rifle using proper rifle marksmanship principles at an indoor-simulated marksmanship trainer. The group also watched a military working dog demonstration and toured MACS-4 facilities.
“You want to try and find out what the spouses want to do and see what it is we can support,” said Romig. “We created a concept of what we thought would be best and put together a schedule, got the personnel together and the facilities locked on, so we could do (the things the spouses want).”
The event was challenging and informative for the participants and fun for the Marines and spectators watching and supporting the spouses.
“(Watching my wife participate was) totally enjoyable!” said Capt. Caleb W. Sackett, the assistant operations officer for MACS-4 and husband of Ashu M. Sackett, a participant at the event. “From my perspective, it was satisfying knowing that she got an opportunity to see what I (experience) on a day-to-day basis.”
The participants soaked-in the information given to them by the instructors and gained a much better understanding of their Marines’ occupations, according to Destinee S. Stone, an art teacher at Kinser Elementary School on Camp Kinser and wife of 2nd Lt. Hamilton A. Stone.
The event bridged the gap between Marine and spouse and encouraged the staff at MACS-4 to facilitate more events like this in the future.
“If you really want to understand what your spouse does, then you should come (to Jane Wayne day),” said Stone. “This event was the answer to all of my questions!”