For Jackson Capenos, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and the University’s newest school certifying official with the Office of Veteran Success, life has been a journey shaped by resilience, hard work and an unwavering commitment to service.
Jackson Capenos
Hailing from Central New York in a small town just north of Syracuse, Jackson grew up immersed in a close-knit community. His early life revolved around family, sports and work. Whether chopping wood or doing landscaping work with his grandfather, or taking part in football, track and the band at his high school, Capenos cultivated a strong work ethic that would guide him through life’s challenges.
“I grew up in Penneville and went to Phoenix High School; it’s one of those towns with a gas station and a few churches, not a lot going on. I just spent a lot of time either working for my grandfather, which was just like landscaping and chopping down trees,” says Capenos. “I did a lot of athletic stuff, played football since I was 5 years old and also did track and field, and even wrestled for a couple of years.”
The call to serve came early. Inspired by a family legacy of military service among his two grandfathers and uncle—spanning the Army, Navy and Air Force, Jackson felt compelled to join the Marines, drawn by the camaraderie and the elite reputation. His grandfather, who Capenos credits with helping to raise him, gave him the most persuasive guidance when Capenos was torn between enlisting after high school or going off to college like a lot of other students.
“He told me I had two options. I could go to school for a few years and see how that goes, then by the time I was 27 or so it would be harder to join the military, if at all. Or I could go into the military, do my time, but then go to college afterwards and at least it would be paid for,” Capenos says.
During his time in the Marines, Jackson served as an amphibious assault vehicle crewman, a now-discontinued military occupational specialty, but an experience that taught him a lot about taking care of others and attention to detail.
The amphibious assault vehicle (AAV), or “Amtrack” as it was commonly called, was a lightly armored tracked vehicle that carried infantry Marines from ship to shore on contested beaches. In 2020, eight Marines and a sailor tragically lost their lives during a training incident when their AAV flooded with water, sinking off the coast of California before the service members could escape.
Capenos’ role in the AAV was ensuring the Marines in the back were safe, and that included highly detailed inspections of the AAV before the Marines ever boarded it. Every seal, every hinge, every valve was thoroughly checked to ensure the armored vehicle would keep the crew afloat.
Jackson Capenos
After being medically separated in 2014, Jackson faced the challenge of transitioning to civilian life. He pursued higher education, earning a degree in psychology from SUNY Oswego, with a focus on military and veteran mental health. His academic path underscored his passion for understanding the struggles veterans face during transitions and finding ways to support them.
After graduating, Capenos moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, for work. With his wife joining him, the pair started to make a new life for themselves and started to settle into the local community. Then COVID hit.
“We were living near Fort Carson, I became a football coach and was an educational assistant for students with developmental disabilities, so I became really ingrained in my community out there,” says Capenos. “Once COVID hit, my wife and I couldn’t afford to live out there anymore, so we were forced to move back to New York. The day we moved back we found out we were pregnant with our son, and I immediately took the next job that I could.”
His journey eventually led him to Syracuse University, where he found his calling as a liaison for student veterans navigating their education benefits. “When I was transitioning, I didn’t have much support,” Jackson says. “Now, I get to be that person for others. To help them navigate the process, talk through challenges and connect them with the resources they need.”
Today, Jackson’s role is more than a job—it’s a mission. He ensures veterans feel supported as they navigate the complexities of higher education, their education benefits and life after military service. His own story of resilience and dedication serves as an inspiration to the students he works with.
“There are so many parts with education benefits depending on which program the student is using. When you’re going through that educational process you don’t always know all the details like how the monthly housing allowance works with the G.I. Bill,” says Capenos. “As I’ve been going through my training, I’ve learned that there’s so many things I never knew about. So, I feel like the important thing about my role here at Syracuse University is helping to give the student a peace of mind that they’re taken care of. Here, the student comes first.”
Capenos, along with the other school certifying officials and administrators working with the Office of Veteran Success, are available to answer questions any student may have about the educational benefits.
In addition to doing presentations for student veterans and keeping them informed about updates to their benefits, the University’s school certifying officials urge military-connected students to seek them out before making any significant changes to their academic plans to ensure they’ll have the coverage they’re expecting.
