More than 500 Marine recruits from across New England got a glimpse of what boot camp will be like as they gathered at the Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee Saturday to participate in the Annual Field Meet.
More than 500 Marine poolies begin their 1.5 mile run at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee after the pull-up and crunches competition Saturday. CHICOPEE - More than 500 Marine recruits from across New England got a glimpse of what boot camp will be like as they gathered at the Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee Saturday to participate in the annual Field Meet.
"This event is all about giving the recruits a taste of what boot camp will be like and allow their families to see what it is we do," said Capt. Andrew Hamilton, an executive officer with the Springfield recruiting station. "Not all the poolies, as we call them, that are here today have signed yet. This event also allows those people to see if the Marines are the right fit for them and for the recruits, it's a good introduction to what we do."
For more than two hours on Saturday morning, the poolies screamed, sweated and pushed themselves as they participated in a pull-up challenge, a crunches challenge and a 1.5 mile run.
Drill Instructors were on hand to "encourage" the participants, along with commanding officers from recruitment stations across the region.
US Marine Poolies, Luis Castro, right, and Pimpesan Supple encourage each other as they perform as many crunches in the time allowed at the annual Field Meet Saturday. Luis Castro, a 20-year-old recruit from Springfield, said the physical activity Saturday was challenging, but "nothing new."
"I signed up for the delayed deployment program about nine months ago and I've been training every week," Castro said. "I joined because for me, this was the best way to go. The Marines are the best at what they do and I wanted to be a part of the brotherhood."
Castro is deploying on Monday and he said the Annual Field Meet was a good means of preparation, both physically and mentally.
Sgt. Jarod Fox, a drill instructor from Lexington, Ky., was one of several on hand to work with the poolies, pushing them to be their best.
"This event is a good chance to get them mentally comfortable with the idea of boot camp," Fox said, with a soft voice strained from the customary yelling associated with his position. "Once they get there, it is my job to give them every training opportunity possible and to make sure they are all successful."
Sgt. Jarod Fox, a drill instructor with the US Marines, said he makes sure every Marine he works with gets every training opportunity possible so when they graduate, they are at their best and ready for combat training. Fox is from Lexington, Ky. and has been a Marine for five years. Some recruits, such as Castro, were first-generation Marines while others were following in family footsteps.
Steven Wood, a 24-year-old Springfield native living in Feeding Hills, will deploy to Paris Island, S.C. on May 16. His grandfather Arthur Wood is a former Marine who said he is extremely proud of Steven's decision to join.
"Steven has a background in law enforcement and worked as an officer until times got tough and he was laid off," Arthur said. "Whether he stays in for a few years or makes a career out of it, I know it is a good fit for him. He has the calling."
Pimpesan Supple, a 17-year-old Taconic High School student from Pittsfield, said he decided to join the Marines after he saw the positive effects it had on a sibling.
"My older brother is a lance corporal on his second tour of duty overseas," Supple said. "The Marines have done a lot of good for my brother, and I think the experience will be good for me too."
Overall, the poolies did a good job on Saturday and the officers on hand were impressed with their hard work and determination, according to Major Lee Rush, the commanding officer of the Springfield recruiting station.
"My goal from the time they sign to deployment is to do everything in my power to help build them up and show them that they can achieve success," said Rush, who has been a Marine for 18 years. "I take a lot of personal pride in their success. I've made a great career out of the Marines but even if these recruits only serve for a few years, I know they will become better citizens for it. I believe in that transformation."