MWSS-172 hosts Jane Wayne day for spouses

Photo By Lance Cpl. Ian McMahon | Erin R. Sinclair dons an explosive ordinance disposal bomb suit with the help of EOD technicians during a demonstration at Marine Wing Support Squadron 172’s annual Jane Wayne day at Camp Foster May 24. Sinclair is the spouse of a Marine with MWSS-172.  

OKINAWA, AICHI, JAPAN

05.24.2012

Story by Lance Cpl. Ian McMahon 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

OKINAWA, Japan - Standing on the yellow footprints, they wondered what they had gotten themselves into. Marine spouses and families were in for a shock when two former drill instructors walked in and took charge, starting a day of intense training.

Snatched up by the drill instructors, the spouses got a dialed-down taste of what the first days of recruit training can be like.

Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, part of Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, hosted a Jane Wayne day at Camp Foster May 24, an event it holds annually.

“We commit a lot of time and resources to bring our families together,” said Maj. Thomas H. Gilley, the executive officer of the squadron. “It is a fun way to build cohesion, camaraderie and a long-lasting relationship between the unit and the families.”
“I like the intensity (the drill instructors) had,” said Christine Foti, a participant at the event. “It was exciting and scary at the same time.”

First on the training schedule was the Marine Corps martial arts program. At this station, attendees learned how Marines earn each level of their MCMAP belts and a technique from each belt level.
The participants partnered up and took turns practicing the counter to the round kick maneuver. As a bonus, some suited up in protective gear and battled against each other using pugil sticks.
As the group finished the MCMAP demonstration, drill instructors quickly moved them to the explosive ordnance disposal presentation. There, EOD Marines showed off some specialized equipment used in their line of work. Everything from inert explosives to bomb suits and EOD robots were laid out and explained.

“You don’t really hear much about EOD,” said Foti. “They have such a dangerous job; I never realized how hazardous it is until I saw it firsthand.”

Each spouse was given the chance to step into the world of an EOD technician by donning a bomb suit and running a small circuit course.

As the group cleared one station, drill instructors were there to expedite movement to the next station. This time the group was taught basic drill movements.

Waiting for the spouses at the next station were two mine-resistant ambush protected all-terrain vehicles and a 7-ton truck. Each family member was given the opportunity to learn about the vehicles and see them in action on a small course testing their maneuverability.

At the last station, the group explored Marine weaponry and vehicles and had a meal, ready-to-eat for lunch.

At the conclusion of the training day, each attendee was given a certificate of completion from Lt. Col. Darin J. Clarke, the squadron’s commanding officer.

“Jane Wayne Day has always been a fun day for families to come together and get a little dose of what their spouse goes through from boot camp to now, on a day-to-day basis,” said Clarke.

• Date Taken: 05.24.2012
• Date Posted: 06.01.2012 03:55
• Story ID: 89277
• Location: OKINAWA, AICHI, JP