MILITARY: A mile in his shoes

Wives of enlisted Marines take part in day of combat training

Christina Lopez - clopez@nctimes.com | Posted: Friday, May 7, 2010 12:00 am

Girls can do anything boys can do. Or so the saying goes.

About 100 wives of enlisted U.S. Marines put that theory to the test during Jane Wayne Day on Thursday at Camp Pendleton.

"This is a ladies day," 5th Marine Regiment Commanding Officer Col. Willard Buhl said. "We kept it at 100 spots for this event so we could give every lady special love and attention."

The all-day event featured activities including an obstacle course, weapon firing at the shooting range, a martial arts demonstration and a combat fitness test.

"So many times, wives will drop off their husbands at 4 a.m. and wonder, 'What are they doing all day?'" Buhl said. "This will give them a chance to connect together."

Event media coordinator 1st Lt. Ken Kunze agreed. "Some of the husbands are very guarded about what they do," he said.

Kristi Bell had no such compunction. She brought along a video camera.

"I've been a Marine wife for 10 years, and this is only my second Jane Wayne Day," Bell said. "I've been shooting video to show my husband what I'm doing today." Bell's husband, Maj. Jason Bell, is on a yearlong deployment in Afghanistan.

"I just know he's going to love it," she said.

The event has the natural consequence of building support between spouses.

"The most important thing is building unit readiness through family cohesion and letting the families know they are just as important to the Marine as the Marine is to his unit," Kunze said. "Each regiment and battalion puts on their own Jane Wayne Day."

In total, 30 units will sponsor a Jane Wayne Day throughout the year.

"We want to share their husbands' world with the wives so that they can share what they've learned together," Buhl said.

As the day warmed up, wives marched toward an open field where protective gear, shooting weapons and an assortment of artillery vehicles awaited them.

"She realizes more of what I do," Lance Col. Ryan Anderson said, whose wife was participating. "And maybe she'll gain more of an appreciation."

Like other wives, Robin Meyers already has a pretty strong appreciation of their husbands' duties.

"They fight for our freedom every day," Meyers said. "We might as well give them something back. It's the least we can do."

The day also gives Marine wives a chance to play "dress up."

"Some of the wives will have their husbands' camos (camouflage uniforms) on," Kunze said. "The wives really get a kick out of it. They'll wear the protective equipment when shooting. I've seen some of the wives even put on camo face paint."

Teamwork is a strong factor that is promoted between other wives of enlisted Marines.

"The ladies here get to know each other within a social group," Buhl said.

More than half of the Jane Waynes participating Thursday were spouses of Marines in the 3rd Battalion Fifth Marines Regiment. That regiment is preparing to deploy to Helmand province in Afghanistan.

"Some of these ladies have husbands that are currently deployed in Afghanistan," Buhl pointed out. "It gives them something they could write to them about."

Cpl. Zac Sinden and his wife have been married for three years. He showed his support by watching her take part in her first Jane Wayne Day.

"This is a good event because the wives get a little idea of how we work," Sinden said. "We also enjoy having the wives here. They are an important part of the Marine Corps."

Jane Wayne Day offers more than opportunity to take part in a rigorous day of training.

"We understand the mission starts at home," Buhl said. "If there's harmony in the household, then that man will be able to do his job."

"It's not an easy job," participant Kari Preston said. "But it's worth it."

Call staff writer Christina Lopez at 760-740-5416.