A father and son from the Raleigh-Wake Composite Squadron participated in the 2026 Region Cadet Leadership School (RCLS) for the Mid-Atlantic Region, each taking on different roles within the event. Second Lieutenant Rafael De Jesus served as a senior member on staff, while his son, Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Richard De Jesus, attended as a student.
Second Lieutenant De Jesus volunteered to join the RCLS staff after learning of his son’s selection for the event. “I had not been to an overnight activity as a senior member, so I offered to join the staff,” he said. “It felt like a good opportunity to give back, learn how these larger activities operate and support CAP at the regional level.”
De Jesus was assigned to administrative duties and became involved in several aspects of organizing and running the leadership school. He also assisted with instruction during the Project Management section of the curriculum. “Jumping into an overnight activity in an administrative role was challenging,” he said. “But working alongside experienced senior members showed me how much people are willing to help each other succeed, which made the challenge rewarding.” His contributions were recognized during RCLS when he received acknowledgment for outstanding performance. “It was a very nice gesture,” De Jesus said. “It really highlighted the value of the work being done, not just by me but by everyone involved. It meant a lot.”
For Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Richard De Jesus, attending RCLS marked a significant step in his development as a cadet leader. He aimed to gain officer-level leadership skills before pursuing further advancement within Civil Air Patrol’s cadet program. “As a student, your job is to learn, manage projects, and lead within a team,” he said. “You are constantly applying what you are being taught.”
He found time management particularly challenging during project management exercises but saw it as an important lesson in leadership preparation. “It felt like we had plenty of time at first,” he said. “But you quickly realize that every second matters if you want to succeed.” The experience provided him with practical tools for leading others and supporting fellow cadets’ growth: “This event gave me the tools to lead people in different situations,” he said. “It also showed me how to help other cadets develop as leaders.”
Although they worked separately throughout RCLS, both father and son reflected on how participating together deepened their understanding of Civil Air Patrol’s operations and mission of service. Second Lieutenant De Jesus noted: “It was eye-opening to see firsthand how much work goes into making these events successful… It reinforced how developing in my duty position supports not just our squadron but CAP as a whole.”
Both plan to apply what they learned at RCLS in future roles within Civil Air Patrol. Second Lieutenant De Jesus encouraged stepping forward even without complete knowledge: “It’s okay to jump in with limited knowledge,” he said. “There are always people ready to help.” For his son Richard, participation at RCLS offered clear advice for peers: “If you want to be a better leader, sign up,” he said. “It’s a lot to take in, but it will guide you forward.”
Their involvement demonstrates how Civil Air Patrol can connect family members through shared service and leadership opportunities.
