A Day in the Life of a United States Marine

"Whatever civilianized mentality better be gone.  Jane Wayne Day is about to begin."  These ominous words were a warning sent to the spouses of Camp Pendleton's Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Thursday at Camp Margarita as they huddled together, dressed in camo, faces covered in war paint.  "I'm just joking," continued Sgt. Maj. Tony Sanmartino.  "We want you to get out there and have fun!"

Jane Wayne Day is a day many battalions and units will put together for spouses of active duty military, and in this case Marines, to allow them to experience the same mental and physical challenges as their Marine spouse does.  This past Thursday on Camp Pendleton, Headquarters Battalion Family Readiness Officer, Michael Miller and Operations Officer Captain Kim Smith, along with representatives from the Battalion's companies; Truck Alpha, Truck Bravo, Communications, Military Police, and Headquarters and Service, made it happen to the delight of some...and terror of others. 

A smattering of laughter was quickly silenced by two incredibly large, scary men with the booming, even scarier voices screaming at the formation of wives standing at attention.  "Did I say to touch your lips?  Do you think this is funny?"  Screamed Gunnery Sergeant John Collins, beads of perspiration dripping heavily down a wrinkled, angry forehead.  "NO!  I am NOT laughing! Yes, SIR?" 

"YES, SIR!" All the wives screamed in unison.  "What was that skyscraper?"  Collins shot to a tall, lanky dark haired woman, who obviously couldn't suppress her laughter at this, what-would-be-terrifying-if-you-were-a-real Marine situation.  After similar tirades continued through a "training" of how to form a formation, turn about face, right, left, and hundreds of "Yes, sirs" and "Aye, aye, sirs,"  the spouses began to be taught to march and begin the day in the life of a Marine. 

At this particular Jane Wayne Day there would be a vehicle static display which is a display of various transportation vehicles; a combat patrol, a Marine Corps Martial Arts Training session and rock wall; weapons static display, and an ISMT shoot — a simulated rifle range.  (You know those Marines and their acronyms.)

Each station would last anywhere between 90 minutes to 2 hours and during the activities the spouses continued to be taught various commands and actions.  The Marines encourage, actually, they EXPECT each spouse to let them know if they are thirsty, need a restroom break, or really are pushing themselves too hard. 

"It's a really positive thing," Gunnery Sgt. Rivera said."It shows the spouses what you do on a daily basis that you really don't just go here and do something mysterious but that they really work hard." 

Rivera is the Gunny for Truck Company Bravo and has a wife and three children of his own.  When asked what his favorite activity was for the day he said the martial arts. 

"It's really awesome because the wives get to actually do it to and with the Marines,"  Rivera said.  When I asked if the Marine was your own husband he jokingly replied, "Man...that would have been a pretty good touch." 

Before any of the activities began I questioned Lance Corporal Samuel Clayton's wife, Amy, about whether she was going to compete for some of the awards that are handed out at the end of the day, or if she was just there to have fun.  "O no!" She shyly smiled and glanced at her husband, "I'm just excited about everything!  I'm not competitive.  I just want to have fun!" 

Clearly, on her first Jane Wayne's Day, she would with that attitude. 

As I looked on at the wives climbing the rock wall and questioned Gunnery Sergeant Collins, I had to laugh.  He never broke character, truly giving the wives a taste of what their husbands regularly experience by continuing to scream, even hopping around like a scared high school girl and shouting to Staff Sergeant Buentello's wife, Juanita, "What?  You can't say good morning to me?  Have some respect!" 

He only ceased yelling when answering his questions.  A 14-year-long career, Collins has been an actual drill instructor from 2005 to 2008 and will be beginning again in January.  When asked if this was his first Jane Wayne Day he said, "Yes, but I've done Devil Pup Days. You know what that is, right?  Same thing, just with the kids."  I asked who he was more uncomfortable yelling at, and his answer was true Marine.  "Uncomfortable?" Collins looked at me with raised eyebrows.  "Mrs. Miller, I am not uncomfortable with either but I'm harder on the kids.  Teach them how to be tough!"  I asked my final question if his spouse was attending today.  He grinned and said, "Nah, divorced.  But man, if my ex were here I'd sure give her a hard time." 

 Semper Fi Marine Wives!