One of the greatest capabilities that exist within the U.S. military is the global logistics system that allows everything from large military transport vehicles to personal hygiene items to move around the world in a timely manner, even to some of the most austere and remote environments on the planet. U.S. Marine Corps veteran Leonel Aviles ’26, or “Leo” as his friends call him, once served as a critical component in that global supply chain before coming to Syracuse University to pursue higher education.
“I joined in 2017, right after high school. Two weeks after I graduated, I headed to boot camp,” says Aviles, an undergraduate student studying at Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies.
Aviles served as a warehouse specialist in the Marines, spending his first two years of service at the Marine Corps Air and Ground Training Center in 29 Palms, California, one of the Marine Corps’ most remote bases in the continental United States. There, he supported the Marine Corps Communication-Electronics School, which trains Marines in various ground electronic maintenance roles, tactical communications and anti-air warfare operations.
For the second half of his career, Aviles supported a tank battalion, providing all the supply needs for the unit and its personnel, handing out everything from goggles, gloves, and replacement parts of vehicles and equipment.
When it came time to transition out of the military, Aviles sought out opportunities for higher education through the Warrior Scholar Project (WSP). The WSP program prepares transitioning service members to pursue their academic goals after service. While participating with the organization, Aviles says he learned about Syracuse University and its initiatives to support veterans and military-connected students.
“I was originally planning to go back to my home state of Florida and do community college when I got out, but during my time with WSP, I learned about Syracuse University. I had not been to New York before then, and it seemed like a great opportunity,” Aviles says.
One of those opportunities came through the Student Veterans Organization (SVO), Syracuse University’s local chapter of the National Student Veterans of America. Through the SVO, military-connected students can find an easier transition to academic life and connect with other students who have experienced the rigors of higher education, as well as providing a community for camaraderie and support.