Photo Information

Angela Nishnic finishes the rappel tower while her husband Sgt. Robert Nishnic a 2nd Battalion drill instructor, yells at her like a recruit. The Depot Battalions gave their wives a chance to walk in recruits shoes and see how demanding their husbands days are.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Crystal Druery

Depot wives experience day in recruit’s shoes

21 May 2011 | Lance Cpl. Crystal Druery Marine Corps Training and Education Command

Three battalions from the Recruit Training Regiment put their wives on the yellow footprints May 21 in hopes of giving them a small taste of recruit training.

Jane Wayne Day gives wives the opportunity to appreciate the work their husbands put into training the next generation of Marines. The billet of drill instructor is one of the most demanding positions a Marine can hold.

“They leave with a better understanding of why their husbands are gone all day and understand the intensity of recruit training,” said Michelle Pritchard, Recruit Training Regiment family readiness officer.

The wives were divided into one of three groups First, Second, and Support Battalion. Each battalion had a four-woman team who was scored on each event to determine the winner. Scored events consisted of a combat fitness test, flexed-arm hang and final drill.

The wives arrived in the Command Museum courtyard at 7:00 a.m. for check-in and breakfast. Some wives came with their husband and children for support.

“We both enjoyed having this day to spend time together,” said Angela Nishnic, wife of Sgt. Robert Nishnic, a drill instructor for 2nd Bn.

Here the wives met their receiving drill instructors who marched them to the yellow footprints. Once they arrived drill instructors came out yelling at them, attempting to give the wives the culture shock recruits receive. The wives were taken through the receiving process but had the luxury of being explained what happened after being yelled at.

“This gives her an idea of what the recruits go through,” said Capt. Raymond D. Galbreth Jr., Company F Series Commander, whose wife Sarah participated in Jane Wayne Day as a part of the 2nd Recruit Training Battalion group.

After completing the CFT and flexed-arm hang they were offered the opportunity to go down the rappel tower.

“The events are really hard,” said Nishnic. “Marines have to go through a lot. I have a lot of respect for both the male and female Marines,” she said. The wives ate lunch before moving to the last event, final drill. Each battalion was accompanied by the same drill instructor.

The wives were scored on the basic drill movements they learned throughout the day.

After completing final drill, scores were calculated and 2nd Bn. will remain the winning battalion the second consecutive year. The trophy will be displayed in the 2nd battalion office until next year’s event.

“Just being able to see what our spouses have to go through makes us appreciate what they do. It would be nice if everyone could experience this,” said Sarah.


Marine Corps Training and Education Command