In honor of Veterans Day on Nov. 11, The Citadel is featuring some of the college’s outstanding veteran students representing different branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

There are more than 330 veterans and active-duty students currently studying at The Citadel as either undergraduate or graduate students. They can take classes as day students alongside the Corps of Cadets, evening students with other non-cadet students or online. The Citadel’s Veteran Student Success Center also offers resources to these students to ensure they have an easy transition and excel here.

Named #1 Best College for Veterans in the South for seven consecutive years, the Military College of South Carolina is honored to help our nation’s heroes advance their education.

Q&A with Caleb Zini, Class of 2025

Caleb Zini is a veteran undergraduate student at The Citadel majoring in Intelligence and Security Studies. Zini served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Mortar Squad Leader. Currently a senior, he expects to graduate in 2025, and he plans to attend the Fire Academy.

At what rank did you leave the military? How long did you serve? What was your time in the military like?

I was a Corporal and served as a Mortar Squad Leader in Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marines. From the very beginning the Marine Corps was a challenge. While enlisting I was medically disqualified three times, and permanently disqualified once by a Navy Medical Review Board. The whole enlistment process lasted over a year and the whole time I was worried I would never become a Marine. 

Long story short, I went to middle school with the son of a Marine Corps Lieutenant General. I reached out to him pled my case and he agreed I was medically qualified to serve. He reached out to the CG of Marine Corps recruiting, who in turn expedited my paperwork, and the next week I was sworn in. 

I graduated Boot Camp in March 2018 and received orders to 1st Battalion, 8th Marines (1/8), “The Beirut Battalion.” I deployed twice with 1/8, the first being to Norway. My second deployment was with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, where we ended up deploying to Kabul Afghanistan for the withdrawal. 

Overall, the Marine Corps was a great experience. I got to travel, blow expensive things up, but most importantly it’s where I met my friends. Adam Driver describes it best, “I found I loved the Marine Corps the most for the thing I was looking for the least when I joined which was the people. These weird dudes, a Motley Crue of characters from a cross section of the United States that on the surface I had nothing in common with and over time all the political and personal bravado that led me to the military dissolved, and for me the Marine Corps became synonymous with my friends.” 

Did you come to The Citadel immediately after retiring, or do something else in between? How did you hear about The Citadel?

Before getting out, my friend Cody, who’s also a veteran student, told me about the Veterans Program. I applied, got accepted and went to school right after I got out.

Growing up, we had a family friend named Colonel Joseph Goodson, a Marine Corps Vietnam veteran and Citadel graduate. Sometimes I couldn’t tell if he was prouder of being a Marine or being a Citadel graduate! Suffice to say The Citadel has always been on my radar. 

What are you studying at The Citadel? When do you expect to graduate, and what do you want to do after?

I’m currently studying Intelligence and Security Studies with a focus in Counter Terrorism and am graduating in 2025. I originally chose this major because I was angry. I wanted to be in a position where I was contributing to or directly fighting the enemy. As time went on, I realized I don’t want to hurt people or see people hurt because of me ever again. So, when I graduate, I’m actually going to the Fire Academy, so I can kick in doors and save life instead of kicking in doors and taking it. 

What experiences from your military service have prepared you to be a better student and/or citizen?

The Marine Corps definitely prepared me to be a better student and citizen. The sense of responsibility, discipline and commitment it takes to be a Marine can be applied in any aspect of life.

Do you ever get to interact with cadets on campus? If so, what are those interactions like?

I do get to interact with cadets on campus! It’s cool seeing the subculture they have within the Corps because it’s so different than my experience in the military.

What’s your favorite thing about The Citadel as a whole?

My favorite thing about The Citadel is being able to see kids who may not necessarily join the military experience the friendship and camaraderie I had with my friends in the Marine Corps.