MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- More than 20 Marine spouses and siblings spent the afternoon sending bullets down range while experiencing a small taste of military training during a Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Jane Wayne Day aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Feb. 25.

Twice a year, during the fall and early spring, H&HS family members familiarize themselves with the roles of Marines by participating in various training events.

Jane Wayne Day is held to help family members understand the different activities Marines are asked to do throughout their careers, explained Maria Lengerke, the H&HS Family Readiness Officer.

The event highlighted the idea that every Marine is a rifleman. Each family member fired both an M-16A4 service-rifle and M9 service-pistol on the Carlos Hathcock Range.

“We always try to make this as realistic and fun as possible for the spouses while maintaining proper safety precautions,” said Lengerke. “They start off with weapons-handling classes to make sure they understand what they will be doing, as well as techniques for firing.”

Every visitor was paired with a Carlos Hathcock Range rifle and pistol coach for each course of fire. Coaches taught marksmanship fundamentals such as aiming, proper breathing and controlling the trigger.

“My fiancé is actually one of the coaches here on the range,” said Amanda Hull. “The shooting was my favorite part because I really liked being able to see what he does every day.”

After every family member finished shooting, everyone sat down to enjoy a Meal Ready-to-Eat. These MREs are what Marines are given while they are working in a field environment. Each meal includes an entrée, drink and often dessert option inside a sealed plastic brown bag. While many Marines dread the sight of these meals, the Janes seemed to enjoy the idea.

“I like the MREs,” said Charlotte Landrum. “I think it is cool to be out here and have the meal ready to go.”

To finish the day’s event, everyone loaded into vans and drove to the explosive ordnance disposal range for a demonstration.

The EOD team, along with multiple firefighters, demonstrated the effects of a blasting cap and two explosions from a safe distance.

After the final blast and more than seven hours of training exercises each wife, husband and sibling attending Jane Wayne day walked away with a better understanding of the Marine Corps’ way of life.