CAPT Geno Paluso, USN (Ret) ’85N set to retire as Citadel Commandant of Cadets
CAPT Geno Paluso, USN (Ret) ’85N has announced his retirement from the position of Commandant of Cadets at The Citadel, The Prep school & College of South Carolina. CAPT Paluso will complete the academic year through June 2021.
During CAPT Paluso’s seven-year tenure at The Citadel, he is credited for enhancing the overall leadership development model. This past fall, he was commended for the successful on-campus transition of the corps cadets during the pandemic.
CAPT Paluso was the commencement speaker for the class of 2019’s graduation, and submitted an alumni video for the class of 2020’s graduation. Both times, he shared one of his favorite quotes that applies to just about any situation one will face during their lifetime.
“Fate whispered to the warrior, ‘you cannot withstand the storm.’ The warrior whispered back, ‘I am the storm.'”
Like the Prep school, The Citadel is a learning organization, and after carefully assessing the Corps’ leadership training model, Captain Paluso began adding much-needed structure and renewed focus. He also established experiential training events including leadership reaction courses for cadre and individual classes, and cadet officer and non-commissioned officer academies. These refinements advanced The Citadel’s overall leadership development model, enhancing the ability of the Corps to lead and command the Corps. Captain Paluso’s innovations give our cadets additional tools to be strong, professional, and effective leaders.
The results speak for themselves—the South Carolina Corps of Cadets continues to shine. Our graduates are sought after not only for their academic achievements, but also their leadership skills and character, developed during their time as cadets. They continue to graduate in four years at the highest rate in South Carolina, have record employment rates, flourish in prep school service or their chosen careers, and garner the financial and professional rewards from doing so. For More:
Click here to read the Citadel President’s formal announcement.
