Meet your 2024 Summer Tri-Wing Senior Executive Cadre
Encampment Commander: Maj. Victor Santos
Maj. Santos is the Squadron Commander of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Composite Squadron and also serves as Maryland Wing's Honor Guard Project Officer. He began his service with Civil Air Patrol in June 2004 where he became involved with CAP emergency services as a Ground Team Member, commanded the Maryland Wing Color Guard and Drill Team for several years, staffed encampment, and participated in Honor Guard. He was also selected as Maryland Wing's Junior Cadet Officer of the Year (2009) and ultimately earned his Eaker Award. Maj. Santos attended several National Cadet Special Activities with include the National Emergency Services Academy, Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Familiarization Course, Air Force Space Command Familiarization Course, Cadet Officer School and was also selected as a cadet ambassador for the International Air Cadet Exchange (Netherlands). He brings 12 years of encampment experience with him having served twice as Commandant of Cadets, Public Affairs Officer, Leadership Officer, and Cadet Vice/Acting Cadet Commander previously. As a cadet cadre member, he commanded the encampment Honor Flight and was recognized as the Cadet Honor Line Staff Officer/Cadet Honor Executive Staff Officer. As senior cadre, he was recognized as the encampment Outstanding Senior Staff Officer. Maj. Santos is a Volunteer University Instructor (Level 2-4), Character Development Instructor, Qualified Ground Team Leader/sUAS Technician, and holds ratings in the Cadet Programs (Master), Emergency Services, Command, and Character Development specialty tracks. He has also been named Maryland Wing's Emergency Services Officer of the Year (2017) and Cadet Programs Advocate of the Year (2021). Outside of CAP, Maj. Santos is a 10-year active law enforcement officer in Maryland where currently serves as a patrol/field training officer and special events response team member.
Maj Santos identifies his work with encampment to be one of the most formative and fulfilling experiences during his time in Civil Air Patrol and looks forward to working with an amazing cadet/senior cadre to plan and execute a safe, fun, and exciting encampment this summer! Tri-Wing Encampment holds special significance for Maj. Santos, since he himself is a graduate of Tri-Wing!
Deputy Encampment Commander for Support: Lt. Col. Kevin Mullen
Lt. Col. Mullen currently serves as Deputy Commander of the Towson Composite Squadron after previously serving as Squadron Commander for 4 years. In total, he brings with him 20 years of Civil Air Patrol experience. As a cadet, Lt. Col. Mullen earned his Eaker Award, was a member of the Wing Drill Team, a member of the Ground Team, and attended several National Cadet Special Activities including the Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Familiarization Course and Pararescue and Survival Orientation Course. After rejoining Civil Air Patrol as a Senior Member, he earned his Gill Robb Wilson Award and has served several Maryland Wing squadrons as a Deputy Commander for Cadets, Professional Development Officer, Testing Officer, Personnel Officer, Public Affairs Officer, Safety Officer, and Transportation Officer. He is currently a qualified Mission Observer and Mission Radio Operator. He also holds ratings in the following specialty tracks: Cadet Programs (Master), Administration, Logistics, Personnel, and Education and Training. This summer's encampment will be his eleventh encampment. As a cadet cadre member, he served as a Cadet Flight Commander, Cadet Adjutant/Aide-de-Camp, and graduated from a Cadet Non-Commissioned Officer School/Cadet Officer School hosted at encampment. As a senior cadre member, Lt. Col. Mullen served as a Training Officer in 2016 and was recognized as the encampment's Honor Training Officer, Transportation Officer in 2017, shuttle driver in 2018/2019/2021, and Encampment Deputy Commander for Support in 2022/2023. Outside CAP, Lt. Col. Mullen retired as a Army Major from Active Duty where he served as an Air Defense Artillery Officer. Prior to that, he served as an infantryman in the Maryland Army National Guard where he rose to the rank of Sergeant. He currently works a defense contractor.
Commandant of Cadets: Lt. Col. Ramon Carlos "Archie" DeJesus
Lt. Col. DeJesus currently serves as Maryland Wing's Group 5 Commander after recently relinquishing command of the Easton Composite Squadron. A 30-year member of the Civil Air Patrol, he is a former Eaker Cadet who has served in Florida, New Mexico, Ohio, and National Capitol Wings. As a cadet, he was selected as a cadet ambassador for IACE to Germany and has served as a host/team leader for several IACE visits to the United States. The last several years, he has served as a team leader for Maryland Wing's National Legislative Day Delegation. This summer's encampment will be his fifth encampment after previously serving as the commander of the Encampment Honor Flight as a cadet and, more recently, as a Senior Training Officer for the 2024 Winter Tri-Wing Encampment. He holds ratings in the following specialty tracks: Education and Training (Master), Personnel (Senior), Command, Cadet Programs, Aerospace Education, Emergency Services, Recruiting and Retention, and Public Affairs. Lt. Col. DeJesus is also an Advanced Course Instructor at the National Emergency Services Academy's Mission Aircrew School, is a Master Rated Mission Observer, and Ground Team Member-Level 3. Lt. Col. DeJesus is a retired Air Force Lt. Col. with over 21 years of service. In the Air Force, he was a C-130 and Instructor Navigator with over 2,500 flight hours (750 Combat). His military decorations include the Bronze Star, seven Meritorious Service Medals, and six Air Medals.
