CAMP GEIGER, N.C. -- Is that you Jane Wayne? It really was on May 21, when the School of Infantry-East held their annual Jane Wayne Day aboard Camp Geiger.
Roughly 300 families attended the event to catch a glimpse of their Marines’ careers, eat some food and have some fun.
“Because our combat instructors work hard and put in long hours, including many holidays and weekends, this can be a tough assignment on the spouses and families,” explained Col. Timothy Mundy, SOI-East commanding officer. “It's important that as a command we have family events such as this to show the spouses how much we appreciate their support.”
The SOI-East Jane Wayne Day featured many activities akin to the duties their Marines fulfill on a daily basis, such as live-fire exercises, a modified combat fitness test, night vision goggle training course and static displays. Some of the events were even scored to create a competition among those who hold the toughest job in the Corps.
There were also many events for the children, like inflatable bounce houses, balloon animals and face painting. For some of the Marines and their Jane Waynes, the family atmosphere was the best part.
“It allows Marines to get to know each other's families and see their leaders in a different environment,” said Capt. Ashlyn King, an event coordinator and SOI-East logistics officer. “I love seeing my Marines' children and spouses in a relaxed environment.”
This year’s Jane Wayne Day ran all day with shuttles moving attendees to and from the different events. For Angie Conn, wife of Staff Sgt. Jermiah Conn, battalion training chief for Marine Combat Training Battalion, SOI-East, this was her first Jane Wayne Day. She said she wishes she went to one a long time ago.
“It gives spouses a chance to see what their Marines do and makes them feel included,” she said.
Mundy said Jane Wayne Day was extremely successful, and that despite the pressures of the job, the personnel of SOI-East perform admirably.
“I always emphasize how proud I am of the great work the Marines and civilians of the School of Infantry-East do here,” said Mundy. “It is a demanding duty, but they perform it excellently. I want their families to know how proud I am of their Marines, and I want them to know how grateful I am for their sacrifice and support to SOI-East. We couldn't do our jobs well without that support from our families.”