FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. -- Nearly 80 spouses, significant others, family members and even a parent got the opportunity to spend a day in their Soldiers' boots as the 5th Engineer Battalion hosted a Fighter Jane/Joe Day on May 31 at Fort Leonard Wood.
The "Fightin' Fifth", part of the 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, designed the event in part to give the participants an appreciation of what their Soldiers go through on a routine basis.
"It helps you understand a lot," said Katie Felkel, who was excited to learn more about what her boyfriend, 2nd Lt. John Ruhl, is talking about when he tells her stories about what he does.
Felkel, who works in advertising at a Springfield, Mo. newspaper, was all smiles after completing a physical endurance challenge course.
"I talk to businesses, I talk to people, not climbing under barbed wire," Felkel said about how she spends her usual days compared to Fighter Jane/Joe Day.
In addition to the physical endurance course, participants executed a live demolitions blast, fired M4 rifles, participated in rafting and boat operations and received a demonstration from a specialized military search dog.
As spouses exchanged hi-fives after checking out their targets at the rifle range, it was obvious that Fighter Jane/Joe Day not only brought a better understanding of the Army and engineer life, it heightened camaraderie amongst the participants and fostered esprit de corps for the Soldiers and loved ones alike.
"It was awesome, all spouses should get to do this," said Jennifer Walton, wife of Sgt. David Walton, after the demolitions range. "When he says I can't talk at the range, I get it now."
Monique Dempsey, whose husband, Maj. John Dempsey, is a Canadian liaison at Fort Leonard Wood, said the day was a fun-filled one and a great experience.
Dempsey also said it was the first time she held any type of gun, but offered a quick explanation when a Soldier nearby expressed surprise.
"I'm Canadian," Dempsey quipped.
Battalion leaders were encouraged by the strong turnout for Fighter Jane/Joe Day and there didn't seem to be any disappointed attendees judging by the smiling faces and laughter echoing throughout the different stations.
One spouse, Kayla Kinsman, even chose to spend her birthday completing each challenge the day threw her way. As a special birthday present, she was offered the opportunity to set off the blast at the demolitions range, a treat which will probably damper future thrills of blowing out candles on a birthday cake.
Kinsman, wife of Sgt. Christopher Kinsman, joked that Fighter Jane/Joe Day was the "most sweaty and unique" birthday that she's experienced.
Kelly Thiemann, spouse of Staff Sgt. Tyler Thiemann, got a feel of what sergeants major are about as she made her way across a challenging obstacle, expressing how difficult it was.
"If it hurts, it means you're doing it right," said Command Sgt. Maj. H. G. Isaacs, 5th Eng. Bn. senior noncommissioned officer, as he encouraged Thiemann to keep chugging on -- which she did.
Fighter Jane/Joe Day also reinforced something that is already known around the 5th Eng. Bn. The members of the "Fightin' Fifth" team that aren't wearing the uniform are just as important and vital to the unit's success as those that lace up their boots day in and day out.
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