The Citadel Class of 2021 commencement
May 4, 2021
More than 560 cadets will graduate as members of The Citadel Class 2021 of at McAlister Field House on Saturday, May 8. They will be joined by 25 veteran and active duty student graduates.
Class of 2021 by the numbers (Estimated figures could change after final calculations)
Cadets
562
Cadets earning commissions into U.S. Military Service
Army 116
Air Force 28
Marines 12
Navy TBD
Legacy cadets
75
Top 5 states
South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Texas
The speaker for both Corps ceremonies will be The Citadel Commandant of Cadets, Captain Eugene “Geno” Paluso, USN (Ret.), ’89. Paluso will retire from the position of commandant on June 30, 2021. Paluso held leadership roles commanding special operations forces in the Balkans, Africa, Iraq and Afghanistan. He has led men and women in combat at all levels as a Naval officer.
Paluso has a Master’s of Military Science from the U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College as well as a Master’s of Science in National Security Strategy Resourcing from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. His service awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (2), Joint Commendation Medal (2), Navy Commendation Medal (5), Joint Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, as well as numerous other service awards and commendations.
