‘Darkside’ spouses gear-up for Jane Wayne Day

Twentynine Palms -- Spouses of Marines with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 7th Marine Regiment, got a taste of what it means to be a Marine during the battalion’s Jane Wayne Day, March 8, 2017.

The “Darkside” spouses ran the gauntlet of physically demanding tasks as they alternated stations at Del Valle Field, where they ran the High Intensity Tactical Training obstacle course, ran a modified Combat Fitness Test and learned Marine Corps Martial Arts Programs techniques.

“I think the spouses got a good first-hand look at what the Marines do,” said Capt. Nicholas Pretty, forward air controller, 3/4.

While at each station, the spouses learned about different aspects of Marine Corps culture and the different elements that make up the ground combat element, of which their spouses are a part. 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Tank Battalion and 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion showcased a static display of their respective vehicles.

“They did a lot of physical things and overall I think they all did well,” Pretty said. “The spouses did a lot more things than their husbands do in a day, but I think they understand why they come home tired sometimes.”

Known for being the Marine Corps’ most deployed unit in the institution’s history, the battalion was first activated in 1925 at Naval Base San Diego. It has since been deactivated and reactivated seven times, most recently reactivating in August 2015. The battalion has fought in operations during World War II, the Vietnam War, Libya, Panama, Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Jane Wayne Day is the last event the battalion will host before deploying in the coming weeks.