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RICHMOND, Va. – U.S. Marine Corps recruiters with Recruiting Station Richmond hosted a pool validation for their poolees – the aspiring Marines in the Marine Corps Delayed Entry Program “pool” of enlistees – to validate their mental, moral, and physical readiness in Richmond, Virginia, June 19, 2025.
The pool validation is one of the final steps poolees must take before they depart for recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. Typically conducted one to two months prior to departure, the pool validation serves to confirm poolees are prepared for the challenges they will experience during recruit training.
The pool validation begins with an initial strength assessment. This is the first physical test that recruits will perform at recruit training. The ISA consists of a maximum set of pull-ups, a timed plank, and a timed 1.5-mile run. Following the ISA, the poolees reaffirm their commitment to becoming a Marine and confirm that they have no moral or mental reservations. This is an opportunity for poolees to confirm to their recruiters, their families, and themselves that they are completely dedicated to pursuing the path to sustaining the transformation to become a U.S. Marine.
Colloquially known as the “moment of truth,” this affirmation of commitment is a serious and solemn moment for poolees.
Genesis RuizGuzman, a poolee with Recruiting Sub Station Richmond South, said the moment was surreal because she was finally taking steps toward accomplishing what she had always dreamt of.
RuizGuzman is a native of New Haven, Connecticut, and entered the delayed entry program during her senior year of high school in November 2024.
“Since I began high school, I felt this sense to serve,” said RuizGuzman. “It was just something that called out to me.”
Joshua Morales, a poolee with RSS Charlottesville and a Charlottesville, Virginia native, joined the delayed entry program in May 2025, and recently departed for recruit training. Although there was a fast turnaround, Morales came physically and mentally prepared for the rigors of recruit training and was excited to embrace the challenges, particularly in leadership development.
“I think it is the best place for me to hone my leadership skills,” said Morales. “I was a good leader in some places and not as good a leader in other places, so I think the Marine Corps is the best place for my leadership abilities to flourish.”
Following the ISA and “moment of truth,” recruiters brief their poolees about expectations and standards they must uphold while they await recruit training. From this point forward, poolees are expected to carry themselves as U.S. Marines do – physically, morally, and with the utmost pride to serve.
“Being able to serve and make a commitment to our country is pretty special,” said Morales. “There is a lot of pride in becoming a Marine and being part of this brotherhood and sisterhood.”
RS Richmond and its sub stations host multiple pool validations annually in addition to monthly pool events. The delayed entry program serves to build a community amongst poolees, educate them on Marine Corps fundamental lessons, and adequately prepare them for the challenges they will face and overcome during recruit training. Poolees have direct access to their recruiters, active-duty U.S. Marines who were hand-selected by the Marine Corps to screen and mentor poolees on their path to transforming into U.S. Marines.
RS Richmond consists of 10 enlisted recruiting sub stations and three officer selection stations that span the majority of central and southern Virginia, northeastern North Carolina, and eastern West Virginia.
| Date Taken: | 07.14.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 08.04.2025 08:36 |
| Story ID: | 543425 |
| Location: | RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 6 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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