Oliver and Jonathan Roy have spent years learning leadership, service and discipline through the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program.
Now, the two brothers have reached one of the program’s highest milestones together: cadet lieutenant colonel.
Oliver, 20, and Jonathan, 17, recently advanced to Phase 4 of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Cadet Program, a level the brothers said represents the top 2% of cadets nationwide.
Washington state Sen. John Braun presented the Ira C. Eaker Award to both Oliver and Jonathan Roy on Monday, Sept. 14, during a weekly meeting of the Fort Vancouver Composite Squadron at the Pearson Education Center.
“It’s obviously really special. I mean, this is the top 2% nationwide for CAP cadets. So, our parents are really, really proud,” Oliver said.
The achievement also adds another chapter to a friendly competition between the Roy brothers. Their middle brother, Andrew, previously reached the same level, giving the younger siblings another family benchmark to chase. Their youngest brother, Alistair, is currently on a similar trajectory to reach the top 2% of cadets nationwide as well.
“And between us brothers, it’s always been kind of a competition who can, you know, get to the next level the fastest,” Oliver said. “There’s a lot of work that goes into it.”
The Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. Cadets participate in programs centered around leadership development, aerospace education and emergency services.
“We have our customs and courtesies. A lot we do is based off of how the Air Force does things,” Jonathan said.
Cadets can pursue a wide variety of opportunities within those three areas. Emergency services, for example, can involve flying drones for disaster assessments, searching for missing people or working as a mission radio operator.
Oliver said the program allows cadets to determine how they want to use those opportunities.
“It really is what you make it,” Oliver said. “There’s just so many opportunities that you have to really pick what you want to do and best kind of use the program to help you get where you want to go.”
The brothers have already taken advantage of opportunities that extend beyond their regular squadron meetings. Oliver attended a flight academy in July alongside cadets from across the country. Oliver completed his first solo flight on Sept. 8, prior to Andrew Roy completing his solo flight on Sept. 11.
“They really do give us a unique opportunity that most youth in America don’t have and help us get to where you want to go,” Oliver said.
Civil Air Patrol has also provided the brothers with experience in leadership and responsibility. Oliver will serve as commander of an upcoming winter encampment, following Andrew Roy’s leadership role at a previous encampment.
“At this level, it’s kind of what they expect of you to take some of these larger challenges and pursue bigger things, and hopefully take that outside of Civil Air Patrol and start working toward things in school and work or whatever you’re doing,” Oliver said.
The responsibility comes with an emphasis on the organization’s four core values: integrity, respect, excellence and volunteer service.
“I think those are great core values that a lot of the youth in America today could probably make part of their own values,” Oliver said.
Jonathan said leadership within the program has given him and his brothers an opportunity to influence younger cadets.
The local squadron has 44 cadets, giving the older members opportunities to help younger participants develop leadership skills and grow within the program.
“Like, where else are you going to be in charge of developing 200-plus people into good followers and good leaders, good team members and good people, good Americans?” Jonathan said. “So, yeah, it’s really pretty amazing.”
Oliver plans to pursue a career in law enforcement after college and potentially serve in the military part time. Jonathan has not yet decided on a career path.
“There are so many opportunities, especially if you’re willing to show up on time, have a positive attitude, and work hard. You can really do whatever you want,” Jonathan said.
Both brothers credited their parents, family, mentors, senior members and fellow cadets with helping them reach the latest milestone.
“I think our squadron’s unique in the fact that we’ve got so many senior members that really do care about us, and they invest so much of their time into supporting us,” Oliver said.
Jonathan said that support has reinforced a lesson he has carried through his time in the program.
“It’s just shown to me that no matter what you want to do, you can do it if you’re willing to work hard, and if you have someone to support you,” he said. “So, yeah, really just strive for the impossible because you can attain it.”
