Spouses' Warrior Day

III MHG hosted their annual Spouses' Warrior Day on Camp Hansen.  The idea of the event is to give the spouses a taste of what it's like to be a Marine.  I don't think they really conveyed that in an authentic way... but we did get to experience many different areas of expertise and try some really fun and exciting new things.

First we mustered and were split into our training groups for the day.  Then we headed off to our three different locations and activities.

My group started off a Kin Blue at the beach.  Here we got absolutely soaked as we learned how to maneuver the Zodiac boats and a little about their purpose and the training Marines receive for beach landings.  On the beach, we participated in some basics of MCMAP (The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program).  Now we know a few simple moves for self-defense!

Next we rode some of the larger vehicles over to the HEAT trainer (used to simulate vehicle rollovers) and event simulation rooms (used for practicing team communication skills in the field). The HEAT trainer was interesting.  You get in the vehicle adorned in all your safety gear (kevlar, flak jacket, the works) and your weapon tucked between your knees.  Then they lock all the doors but one and proceed to flip your vehicle over and over.  Once it comes to a stop, you must find your way out of the vehicle and secure the perimeter.

After eating our MRE's, we headed out to the Rappel Tower and the Pistol Range.  

At the Rappel Tower, we learned how to make our own rope harnesses and proper rappelling technique. Then, I got to rappel out of the "Hell Hole" which simulates rappeling out of a helicopter.  Many others chose to rappel down the wall instead.  Loved this.

Last but not least, was the pistol range.  We had a safety brief and learned how to hold and shoot the pistols.  Then we got our own personal Marine assistants to shoot at the range from three different distances, supposedly the same ones used for pistol qualifications.  If that is actually so, then I somehow managed to shoot expert!  Woot Woot! My assistant Marine was excellent in answering my questions and giving me pointers.  So props to him.

Everyone else then headed to the closing event for the program where they did some kind of awards thing while having a BBQ.  I couldn't stay for that since I had to get to Courtney to pick up O at the CDC.  But it was a fantastic day.  I can't wait to go to next years event.  Although, truth be told, I hope it's a little more realistic next time.  I wanna get yelled at and PT'd DI style, lol.  0:)