CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- To most Marines the Corps isn’t just a job, it’s a way of life. Sometimes spouses don’t understand why this is, but from time to time units open their doors, inviting significant others to gain a glimpse of life on base.
Such was the case with Combat Logistics Battalion 6, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, during their “Jane Wayne Day” event aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., May 6, 2011.
Marines and sailors with the battalion enjoyed a vigorous day with their spouses by participating in Marine Corps Martial Arts Program training, learning about weapons systems and shooting simulated weapons at an indoor range simulator.
Along with the many activities throughout the day, Lt. Col. Ralph J. Rizzo Jr., the battalion’s commanding officer, made it a point to teach the spouses discipline and make them as efficient as his Marines are.
“We are going to have fun today, there is no doubt about that,” said Rizzo. “But while you’re doing all of these fun activities we’ll try to show you why it iswe move fast and do everything with intensity and volume … hope you’re all ready.”
The spouses came out full of energy. They remained ahead of schedule throughout the day and looked forward to the events planned by the battalion, said Mary Mathews, the unit’s family readiness officer.
“I didn’t think the spouses would have all this energy,” said Mathews, who experienced Jane Wayne Day for the first time. “They aren’t hesitant to do anything. When we told them that everything was optional we thought they would choose what they wanted to do, but since we’ve started they’ve gone full steam ahead.”
The events were difficult, but adrenaline kept the wives moving, said Katherine Hollwedel, whose spouse is Sgt. David Hollwedel’s, an armorer with CLB-6.
“It’s like when Marines always want to be the best at something, that attitude rubs off on us,” she said.
As Marines and sailors returned to the CLB-6 headquarters building with their spouses after seven hours of MCMAP, learning about weapons and shooting them at the indoor range simulator, Rizzo thought they hadn’t been worked hard enough. There was a lot of talking, laughing and not many tired spouses.
“Looks like we still have a lot of energy,” said Rizzo, as he joked with the spouses. “I’m glad everyone enjoyed themselves and the time we spent together today. I think this was a great time to bring us all together before the upcoming deployment.
We needed this as a unit.”