Cpl. Magnus Nnolim, a motor vehicle mechanic with Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, watches over his wife, Ashdale Nnolim, as she prepares to fire an M-4 carbine during the unit’s Jane Wayne Day activities aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 12, 2012. The live-fire exercise was the first time many of the spouses and family members fired a weapon and allowed them to better understand the daily demands placed on the servicemembers they help to support.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Paul Peterson

Jane Wayne Day puts Marine spouses on the firing line

17 Sep 2012 | Lance Cpl. Paul Peterson 2nd Marine Logistics Group

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Ribbons of light slipped between cracks in the ceiling boards and cut through the thin haze of gun smoke, silhouetting the unorthodox row of riflemen. A staggered line of uniformed Marines stood behind the shooters. Their spouses and family members grasped their weapons and unleashed another volley upon command.

The torrent of fire was all part of the Jane Wayne Day activities held for the spouses of the Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 2nd Marine Logistics Group here, Sept. 12.

Jane Wayne Day is a chance for spouses to experience a day in the life of their Marines. Though the event’s participants weren’t classic Western folk heroines, the events left more than a few feeling like gunslingers and asking for more ammunition.

“It’s an adrenaline rush,” said Ashdale Nnolim, one of the spouses in attendance who took part in the live-fire exercise. “It was exciting, but it was also kind of scary.”

Nnolim, whose husband is a motor vehicle mechanic with the battalion, said she never fired a gun before Jane Wayne Day. Now she has experience with both the M-9 pistol and the M-4 carbine under her belt. She also got a chance to see some of her husband’s daily responsibilities.

CLB-6’s Jane Wayne Day kicked off with a condensed convoy brief. The spouses saw firsthand just how much preparation and attention to detail goes into planning a convoy in a deployed environment.

After the brief, the doors to a mock seven-vehicle convoy were left open for the spouses and families to explore.

“It’s nice for them to be able to interact with the vehicles and be able to see what we are doing so they are not in the dark,” said Cpl. Chris Gregor, a motor vehicle operator with the battalion whose family has already supported him through three deployments. “When we come home tired at night, they’re always wondering what happened at work. Having them come here for this experience is how we show them what we deal with on a daily basis, what our jobs are and what it is like.”

The families examined the various weapons platforms and the inner workings of some of the unit’s vehicles, including the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected – All-Terrain Vehicle and a multi-purpose tractor.

“I don’t know how to put it, but I learned a lot,” said Nnolim. “I actually got to see why he doesn’t always call me. I learned exactly what he does and what it’s actually like. Sometimes you’re home and wondering why they won’t pick up [the phone]. It’s because they are so busy.”

With their shoulders tenderized by the afternoon of shooting, the participants retired to a buffet-style barbeque, where the CLB-6 family finally got a chance to kick back and take in the day’s experiences.

Jane Wayne Day isn’t just about showing families what a day in the life of a Marine is like. It is also about saying thanks to the spouses and family members who form the backbone of a Marine’s support system.

MISSION

To provide intermediate supply support and intermediate motor transport and engineer ground equipment maintenance to 2d Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW); operate the Aerial Port of Embarkation/Debarkation (APOE/D) under the guidance of II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF); and provide personnel to the Fleet Assistance Program (FAP) in support of postal, exchange, personnel administration, freight/passenger transportation (TMO), and bulk fuel support for Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point.

Leaders

Captain Sophie A. Spencer

Company Commander, Combat Logistics Company 21

Captain Spencer is a native of New York. She graduated from Boston College in 2019 with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 2021, then served as the Officer Selection Assistant of Officer Selection Team Garden City, Recruiting Station New York until May of 2022.

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First Sergeant Edward G. Peifer

Senior Enlisted Leader, Combat Logistics Company 21

First Sergeant Peifer is a native of Lake Placid, Florida. He graduated from Lake Placid High School in 2005. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in September of 2009. He graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina in May of 2009 from 1st Battalion Alpha Company.

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CLC-21 Unit, Personal and Family Readiness Program

The Unit, Personal and Family Readiness Program (UPFRP) is a unit centric program, guided by the Family Readiness Command Team that reinforces the relationship between the unit and the services relevant to the unit, the unit members, and their families. The primary goal of UPFRP is to empower Marines and family members, providing them the opportunities to not just survive but to thrive while taking on the challenges of the military lifestyle. The program is supported by Deployment Readiness Coordinators (DRC) or Uniformed Readiness Coordinators (URC) who implement the Commander's family readiness vision, manage the tenets of the UPFRP, and assist unit Marines, Sailors and families maintain a constant state of family readiness.

Services

Marines, spouses, extended family members, and any other contacts authorized by the Marines are supported by the UPFRP.

Communication: Regular communication with the Marines and families is the cornerstone of UPFRP. The DRC/URC provides the link for two-way communication between the Commander and the families, using a variety of mediums, such as Marine Online, email, newsletters, toll-free numbers, and/or social media sites. Marine Online is the primary web-based tool for disseminating unit information.

Readiness and Resource Referral: The UPFRP provides assistance to address issues with the potential to impact the Marines, families, and the unit. The DRC/URC is a readiness, resource and referral expert, continuously researching and identifying trainings, resources and services to meet every need.

Deployment Support: The UPFRP supports a multitude of training opportunities to assist Marines and their family members with deployments, separations, and life skills. From pre-deployment briefs, to interpersonal communication, to transition assistance, each is designed to empower the participants with skill development and independence.

Volunteer Opportunities: The UPFRP provides opportunities for volunteer growth and development which creates stronger unit cohesion. UPFRP volunteers assist with mentoring others spouses/family members, identifying challenges to be addressed by the Command, and assisting with unit events. UPFRP volunteers also have the potential to grow and develop new skill sets through their volunteer services.

Increased socialization: Unit sponsored events and unit, installation and community connections are made through the UPFRP.

Marines and Sailors are required to check-in with the DRC/URC when they arrive at a new unit. Once a new unit member has provided accurate contact information and authorization to communicate, the family members will begin receiving communication from the command. Family members are encouraged to meet the DRC/URC to learn more about the unit and the services available.

Sgt Barnette
Office: (252) 466-5150

Unit Mailing Address

Combat Logistics Company 21
PSC Box 8025
Cherry Point, NC 28533-0025

Phone Numbers

Duty Phone: (910) 467-3780

Office Phone: (252) 466-6357

S-1: (252) 466-5150

S-2: (252) 466-3384

S-3: (252) 466-4474

S-4: (252) 466-3384

S-6: (252) 466-3384

APOE DUTY: (252) 466-7569