Marine Corps Base Hawaii -- Family members of Headquarters Battalion were afforded the opportunity to shoot pistols and rappel off a rappel tower at the unit’s first Warrior Day, May 24. They learned to carry out missions that Marines accomplish every day.
Twenty spouses and dependents gathered at the Boondocker training area on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, to see demonstrations and begin their unusual experience. Some of the participants’ family gathered to watch and be a part of the experience.
“This is great because it’s a day away from the kids,” said Alisa Hone, a Marine spouse. “Now I can show my husband that I can do the same things he’s done.”
Provost Marshal’s Office dog handlers and their canine counterparts demonstrated how they work together. They showed the participants how well trained their dogs are and how they handle conflicting situations. The PMO representatives explained and demonstrated different scenarios, from calm, verbal altercations to full blown threatening encounters. The dogs reacted differently to each scenario and received different commands for each.
Participants also observed hand-to-hand fighting techniques from Marine Corps Martial Arts Program instructors. The MCMAP instructors discussed each level and color belt that Marines could earn in the program while demonstrating the techniques necessary to achieve each level.
After the demonstration, the participants were welcomed into the MCMAP pit to try out the moves themselves. They were taught how to control a person by just grabbing their hand, different takedowns and leg sweeps, and how to take possession of an aggressor’s weapon.
Once the participants had their taste of MCMAP, the large group was split into two. One group went to the rifle range while the other tackled the rappel tower. The group would switch once they finished the station they were at.
Just like their Marine family members, participants had a detailed safety brief before shooting. They were given cartridge belts with pistol holsters and magazine pouches on their respectable sides for left-handed and right-handed shooters.
Range coaches explained how to hold, fire and reload the Beretta M9 semi-automatic pistol and Mossberg 500 pump-action shotgun. The family members walked to the seven-yard line and were guided during one-on-one time with their specific range coach. The coaches re-explained everything, making sure they were comfortable with the weapon.
Once everyone was comfortable and understood the weapons, they took turns firing each weapon. They were given two magazines of 15 rounds for the pistol and five individual rounds for the shotgun.
On the seven-yard line, they lined up in front of a target and when given permission, began to fire. Some were nervous at first, jerking the trigger, making the weapon recoil up. But after a few shots, they began to get the hang of it and looked comfortable with the weapon in hand.
“It was a different experience working with spouses instead of Marines,” said Lance Cpl. Timothy Hobbs, a mail clerk for Headquarters Bn. and range coach. “It made me feel good because they listened and understood what I was explaining. They grasped what was being taught.”
Once everyone on the firing line fired all of his or her rounds, the line was cleared and they switched positions and weapons.
“I was so nervous to actually go on the range and shoot,” said Stephanie Gonzales, Marine spouse. “I did a lot better then I expected and it really wasn’t that bad. It was a great experience.”
When Warrior day participants weren’t firing at the range, they were tackling another type of training.
The other station was the rappel tower at Boondocker training area. They had to make a rope “seat,” climb to the top of the rappel tower, and rappel down using two ropes connected to their “seat.”
Instructors at the rappel tower instructed the family members on how to make a “seat” and the proper technique when rappelling from the tower. With the guidelines, they put on kevlars and made their way up the tower.
One by one they stood at the edge of the rappel tower, eyes on their coach, before leaning back and ended up parallel to the ground, feet on the wall, face to the sky. The coaches guided them down with their words while the participants kept their eyes on the ground below.
Some were so nervous they ended up upside down, their nerves taking over. By the end, everyone made it down the wall with no injuries.
Once everyone had finished at the range and rappel tower, they ate lunch at the training area under a tent with tables and chairs. The Warrior Day participants conversed and ate, enjoying the end of an eventful day.
“Warrior Day is for dependents to experience the obstacles we’ve gone through and continue to go through,” said Staff Sgt. Kelly Anderson, operations chief for Headquarters Bn. “It brings everyone together and lets them experience something they couldn’t otherwise.”