Marines and potential recruits, “poolees,” will fill Zach’s Bay at Jones Beach on Saturday, June 16 for the annual Sergeant Majors Cup competition. More than 600 marines, from more than 14 New York State recruiting stations, will participate in the competition held each year for all Marine Corps candidates waiting to deploy to boot camp.
The event is a physical competition, giving candidates a preview of some of the grueling demands of boot camp once they arrive at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, SC.
Some of the boot camp-style events that the marine candidates will participate in include: relay races, pull up competitions, a Humvee pull and equipment demonstrations. Some of the drill instructors from Parris Island will be available for instruction and officiating.
There are about 300 recruit candidates waiting to enter the Marine Corps on Long Island. Some of the candidates will be leaving for boot camp as soon as Monday, others over the course of the next seven months. The event is also a family day and barbecue for the poolees and their families.
The competition begins at 10 a.m. and is open to the public for viewing.
