MCSFBn - Bangor Hosts Jayne Wayne Day

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Cory Asato, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Northwest

SILVERDALE, Wash. (NNS) -- Marine Corps Security Force Battalion (MCSFBn) - Bangor held "Jayne Wayne Day" for more than 50 Marines, Sailors and their family members, June 12.

Jayne Wayne Day is an annual tradition throughout the Marine Corps, which gives spouses and family members a small experience of their Sailors' and Marines' military life.

"It's especially great for the junior Marines, Sailors and the new couples," said Meaghan Bourgeois, MCSFBn family readiness officer. "It can be difficult to understand what they go through, especially if they serve in a capacity that they can't openly talk about."

Bourgeois goes on to explain why the Marine Corps has made Jayne Wayne Day a staple in their family readiness programs.

"Jayne Wayne Day helps to serve as a platform for bonding between a service member and their spouse as well as a networking tool for military families," said Bourgeois. "The readiness and stability of a family directly correlates to the mission readiness of our Sailors and Marines."

The event had four alternating stations: the Marine Corps Combat Fitness Test, Marine Corps Martial Arts Program self defense training, night vision goggles experience and demonstration, and a chance to shoot with a firearms training simulator.

"Military life holds a lot of challenges between moving and changing schools, but when families become involved in the family readiness program events like Jayne Wayne Day, we bond with other families and get a small understanding of what goes on beyond that last gate," said Tanya McKinley, a Marine Corps veteran and wife of a MCSFBn Marine. "Being here and participating in these events builds our bonds as families and a community."

The battalion also arranged for family members to partake in either a bag lunch or meal ready to eat (MRE).

"I know he's a master-at-arms, but it's nice to have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of his work life," said Kenna Wannamaker, whose husband is stationed with MCSFBn. "Here I can put names to faces and better understand all of these military terms and acronyms."

MCSFBn's military working dog handler held a quick demonstration before Lt. Col. Stephen Keane, MCSFBn - Bangor commanding officer, gave a speech to end the day's events.

"We would not be able to do what we do, were it not for our family who supports us and keeps our homes functioning while we're gone," said Keane. "I'm proud to be able to afford opportunities such as Jayne Wayne Day to give thanks to the families who support my Marines and Sailors."