Veterans in Gaming Profiles
Kalani C Creutzburg, Business Development, State & Local Tax, KPMG LLP, Las Vegas, NV
Service
Branch: Marine Corps
Favorite location visited while serving: My favorite duty station was Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego where I had the honor and privilege of contributing to the Marine making process.
Gaming
First job in gaming: Consultant, Indirect Tax with KPMG LLP
One sentence of advice to other vets making the move into gaming: Be a go-getter, always take initiative, make decisions in the absence of leadership, jump at any opportunity to take on more responsibility, and always be adding value to the team.
Connection
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kalanicreutzburg/
Service snapshot: What branch did you serve in, what was your role/MOS, and how many years did you serve?
I served 12 years in the Marine Corps as a logistician and reached the rank of Major.
Why you joined:
I grew up in a Marine Corps household as the son of a Master Sergeant. On my 18th birthday, my dad gave me the ultimate tough-love send-off: “You’re a grown man now. Time to leave the house and find your own way. I would tell you to join the Marine Corps… but I don’t think you have what it takes.” Then he just walked away like he’d dropped the mic.
That line lit a fire under me faster than any recruiter ever could. So much so that I went the Officer route just so my dad had to salute me.
Most formative experience:
Serving as a young Captain at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego was the most formative experience of my career. I had the privilege of working alongside the top 10% of the Corps, transforming young men into United States Marines. Over the course of that tour, I played a direct role in the development of more than 1,800 recruits. Few things in life compare to the weight and satisfaction of knowing you helped build part of America’s warfighting machine.
Skills that carried over:
My time as a logistician in the Marine Corps taught me how to lead people toward a shared mission with urgency and precision. That same leadership style now serves me in the gaming industry: rallying teams, building ownership, and driving results… just with fewer push-ups and slightly better coffee.
Hardest part of the shift:
My transition out of the Marine Corps wasn’t the smoothest. It took me a long time to readjust to life outside the installation gates and stop feeling like the obvious outsider in the room. I worked hard to blend in with others, trading “oorah” for small talk and learning that not every meeting requires a battle rhythm.
These days, I take it as a high compliment when people are surprised to learn I’m a Marine veteran. It just means I’ve come a long way… even if I still instinctively check my watch like we’re about to miss movement.
Advice to other vets:
If you’re a veteran thinking about moving into the gaming industry, understand this first: you already bring something most civilians your age never will - the proven ability to handle real responsibility under pressure. You’ve managed logistics with millions on the line, led teams through uncertainty, and made decisions that mattered. The gaming world needs that exact mindset.
Believe in yourself. Don’t downplay your leadership, discipline, and adaptability just because the uniform is gone. Network with other vets already in the industry, highlight your transferable skills, and be ready to learn the business side. But never forget: you’re not starting from scratch. You’re bringing battle-tested strengths most people your age simply don’t have. Own that confidence; it’s one of your greatest advantages.
You’ve got what it takes. Now go prove it again.
How You Can Help Support Veterans in Gaming
Join the group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/veterans-in-gaming-vig/
If you’re a member or would like to support our mission, please connect with us at daniel@chalklinesports.com or kcreutzburg@kpmg.com
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