Veteran Student Spotlight: Cesar Martinez

Finding Purpose, Community, and a Second Chance Through Culinary Arts at CIA

Meet Cesar Martinez, a United States Marine Corps veteran and Culinary Arts student at CIA. After serving eight years with leadership roles ranging from rifleman to police sergeant, Cesar brings discipline, resilience, and a deep personal connection to food into the kitchen. His journey reflects growth, healing, and a desire to give back through culinary work.

1. What branch of the military did you serve in, and when?

I served in the United States Marine Corps as an 0311 rifleman. During my time in, I also became a team leader and a combat hunter, with responsibilities that included leadership and maintaining a fire team.

In my last year, I became a police sergeant—though we often refer to that role more like a barracks manager. During that time, I was responsible for the welfare of about 150 to 200 Marines and sailors. I honorably completed an eight-year contract.

2. What inspired you to transition from your prior profession into the culinary field?

I got out in 2010 and was struggling with my mental health because of things I experienced in the military and growing up. I went back to school and earned a two-year degree in psychology, but when I tried to continue, I realized I wasn’t ready due to anxiety and PTSD.

After leaving school, I worked a variety of jobs, including as an EMT and bouncer, and later at a catering company in Manhattan, where I worked my way up from dishwasher to supervising logistics and operations.

I eventually joined a VA program and spent some time traveling, which helped me reflect and figure things out. After that, I decided to use the rest of my GI Bill® and go back to school. Cooking had always been something I enjoyed—it’s part of my culture, and it became a way for me to process emotions.

Coming to CIA felt like a second chance to do something I love while pushing myself to be back out in the world again.

3. What career path are you aiming for, and how is CIA preparing you?

I don’t have a specific plan yet—this was more of a gift to myself, a second chance at life. Long-term, I want to help impoverished communities and make food more accessible. Healthy, natural food shouldn’t be more expensive than processed food.

CIA has helped me learn how to work with people from different ages, mindsets, and perspectives, and to listen instead of just respond. It has also reinforced the importance of networking—students have more connections than they realize.

CIA teaches the fundamentals quickly and effectively.

4. Did any military skills help with your transition to CIA?

A lot of what I learned in the military carried over. The biggest is the brigade system—it’s essentially a chain of command. Respect is another. Without it, nothing works. If people don’t follow directions, the whole operation falls apart.

Time management and prioritization are huge. You have to constantly decide what matters most in the moment. Attention to detail is just as important—guests notice everything, and there’s a difference between something being clean and something looking perfect.

Accountability is also a big one. Leadership means taking ownership, even if you didn’t cause the problem. At the end of the day, everything has a purpose, and every detail matters. When you take responsibility, your focus shifts from blaming others to finding solutions.

5. What class, experience, or chef has made a lasting impact?

My fundamentals instructor, Chef Swartz ’89, believed in me and pushed me to bring out that ‘Marine Cesar.’ Midway through the semester, I became team leader, and we went from half the class failing to scoring in the high 80s and 90s.

The other was Chef Ro ’12/’14, an Army veteran who held me to a higher standard. At one point, she held me responsible for something happening at another station, which didn’t make sense at first, but it pushed me to think like an executive chef—aware of everything going on around me., an Army veteran who held me to a higher standard. At one point, she held me responsible for something happening at another station, which didn’t make sense at first, but it pushed me to think like an executive chef—aware of everything going on around me.

She also emphasized “trust but verify.” Just because someone says something is done doesn’t mean you don’t check—and that really ties back to my military experience.

6. What support or community has helped you most at CIA?

I’ve found support across the board—from my financial officer to my advisor and instructors. A big part of it is how you present yourself. If you’re open and respectful, people respond positively.

I’ve built strong relationships with faculty and students, especially other veterans. I also got involved with the Student Veterans Association—I started as the financial officer and now serve as president.