Maj. Ramon Roman, Puerto Rico Wing

Maj. Ramon Roman, Puerto Rico Wing DAE, first joined CAP as a cadet in the 1980s.

August 22, 2023

Meet Maj. Ramon Roman, Director of Aerospace Education (DAE) for the Puerto Rico Wing. He began his Civil Air Patrol career in 1982 as a cadet. He joined again after his children became cadets in 2014 so that he could share family time in CAP with them. "I’ve always loved the idea of flying; so, I became a mission’s scanner and educated the cadets on our AE program," he says. "That’s when my passion for AE started. The idea of flight and space was something that had to be shared with our youth and community." Maj. Roman is a combat veteran having served as an infantry soldier from 1988 to 1996 with the U.S. Army and deployed to Desert Shield/Desert Storm in November 1990 to May 1991. As a civilian, he was a health and safety inspector in industrial and construction sites. He built a health and safety consulting company and retired in 2012 from the company. At age 8, he was inspired by the TV show "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century," which sparked his interest in aviation, but he was not able to become a pilot. "I did not have the resources or the right mentors to achieve my dream of becoming a pilot; so that is when I decided to be a mentor for those youth who have the dream." he says. "Now, I have the means to help them reach their dreams, and it’s all here in CAP."  We asked him some questions about his CAP career and his answers follow.

How did you get involved in Civil Air Patrol?

I started in CAP in 1982 as a cadet when we had an AE curriculum in high school in Puerto Rico's department of education. In 2014 -- when my son joined and, later on, my daughter -- I joined CAP again because I wanted to do activities to share with them my time as a father. 

Tell us about your CAP career path that led to your current role.

When I was a cadet, my interest was to be a pilot, but at that time it was something difficult to achieve; so I dedicated myself to emergency service and trained and worked in search and rescue missions during hurricanes and storms that hit our island. Unfortunately, there’s no records of my membership because all documents were lost in floodings, and my family moved so many times that they were lost during that time. 

Then, in 2014 my son saw a CAP squadron and asked me if he could join. I told him "Yes" and that I’ll join, but on a different squadron to avoid my intervention with his growth in the organization. Little did I know that I was going to become his unit commander in a matter of days. So, my estimated time as a CAP member I’ll say has been approximately 15 years in total.

Maj. Roman aspires to help cadets reach their aviation dreams.

When I was squadron commander, I had the duty position as AEO officer. I’ve always loved the idea of flying; so, I became a mission’s scanner and educated the cadets on our AE program. That’s when my passion for AE started. The idea of flight and space was something that had to be shared with our youth and community. For the past 9 years, I’ve been AEO, and now I’m the current Director of Aerospace Education (DAE) for Puerto Rico Wing. At the time in Puerto Rico [July 2023], we have membership of 28 units with 598 cadets and 372 senior members and are growing.

Tell us about your career outside of Civil Air Patrol.  How long have you been in this field and why did you choose it?

I’m a combat veteran -- joined the U.S. Army as an infantry soldier, served for 8 years and was deployed to Desert Shield that later became Desert Storm. My civilian job was health and safety inspector in industrial and construction sites. I built a health and safety consulting company and retired in 2012.    

Within CAP, why do you work in the Aerospace Education mission area? Why do you encourage youth in the Aerospace Education area?

When I was 8 years old, there was a TV show called "Buck Rodgers in the 25th Century." His story was that he went to space in the '70s and returned many years later. That’s when I began to dream of becoming a pilot. I did not have the resources or the right mentors to achieve my dream of becoming a pilot. So, that is when I decided to be a mentor for those youth who have the dream. Now I have the means to help them reach their dreams, and it’s all here in CAP. Mentoring in the AE area will wake up the interest in all youth who are exposed to everything the AE program has to offer -- not only in becoming a pilot but in a lot of other careers. One of my main functions as a DAE is mentoring, not only my future successor, but also other seniors and cadets. I’m the now, they are the future, and the future must be brighter than the now.  

What is the best CAP experience you have had since joining the organization?

My best experience in CAP has been to see how children and young people develop through the years, become leaders, facing their fears and setbacks at such an early age. In short, they are an inspiration, and I am very proud to know that I have been part of their growth and interpersonal development.

Please tell us about the Civil Air Patrol Aerospace Education programs that you use internally and externally. 

From the year 2017 to the school year 2022-2023, I’ve applied for the AEX (Aerospace Education Excellence) Program award in my time as AEO for the Arecibo Cadet Squadron (SER-PR-034) and successfully acquired the award for my unit during that time. Also, every year we applied for different STEM kits and completed courses with our cadets. For past years as an AEO, I’ve been working on a squadron level with the AEX program, making the award part of our annual AE tasks including at least two STEM kits per calendar year. 

Now, as Puerto Rico Wing DAE, it is my duty to continue to promote and make sure that squadrons take advantage of all the AE programs have to offer them and the community.  

Please tell us about your experience attending 2023 National AEO School. Why did you attend? Would you recommend AEO School to others who have not attended? 

The best decision that I have made in the time that I’ve been in the Civil Air Patrol was to attend the National Aerospace Education Officers School. It was a rewarding experience, both educational and connecting with other officers in the nation. Attending the National AEO School should be a goal for all Civil Air Patrol AEOs since the knowledge acquired there will help them perform an excellent job in the AE program.

The experiences shared by veterans in the AEO position gave us new ideas that will allow us to carry out our work in the squadrons and wings with confidence and excellence. That is why I strongly recommend that all AEOs attend this school. I am extremely grateful to the organizers of the school, as well as to all the officers who participated, for their sacrifices and dedication to such a prestigious organization and Aerospace Education Program.

What is the best advice you have for a new AE Officer working with cadets?

First, don’t be afraid to ask questions and ask for help when needed. Prepare yourself when teaching a class, do the research, and make it as fun as possible for the cadets. We have a lot of tools available to make the class a great learning experience. 

Do you have any suggestions for how to conduct outreach in schools (working with students and/or recruiting AEMs)?

Reach out to your district department of education and school directors to allow you time to hold workshops on the AEM program in their schools. Ask your cadets to request their school information, like the director’s name, office number and address. With this information, you have a way to contact the school and schedule an appointment to do a workshop for recruitment.  

Please tell an anecdote of a rewarding experience working with cadets and/or students or teachers:

One of the most rewarding experiences that I had was, one day I was giving a class in encampment and in the distance, I saw this active-duty officer walking in my direction, then stand in front of me at attention and salute. At that moment, I didn’t recognize him until I saw his last name. He said, "Thank you, sir, for all that you did for me -- the knowledge and advice. It helped me be the officer and the man that I am today." At that moment my tears came out, and the pride I felt for the success of this young soldier -- to see from where he came and where he is at now -- was reward enough for me.  

Maj. Roman works on a hands-on activity at National AEO School in Cocoa Beach, Florida, this past June. He said attending the school was one of his best decisions in CAP, and he would recommend the event for any AEO.