(SER-PR-001) Puerto Rico Wing
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Chief of Staff Operations

Chief Of Staff Operations

Lieutenant Colonel Carlos M. Arroyo is the Puerto Rico Wing Chief of Staff for Operations. Joined the Civil Air Patrol in May of 1994 as a cadet in the Capt. Pedro F. Giusti-Piazza Cadet Squadron until 1998, when he transitioned as a senior member.
In 2002, Lt Col Arroyo joined the National Guard component of the U.S. Army as an infantryman where he was deployed to Iraq from 2005 to 2006, serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom III as a gunner assigned to B Company attached to 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Also, in 2011 completed the Warrior Leader Course of the U.S. Army.
On his return, Lt Col Arroyo re-joined Civil Air Patrol as a senior member and served as Cadet Programs Officer in the former PRWG Group 4 (PR-148), where he supervised the implementation of the CAP cadet program in the units within the group. Monitored subordinate units’ progress, disseminated key information related to the cadet program, recruited new personnel and assisted new cadet units and those with newly assigned commanders and cadet programs officers.
Across his CAP career, he has been successful in many leadership roles, such as commander of Capt. Lawrence E. Erikson Cadet Squadron (2006-2009), Puerto Rico Wing Chief of Staff (2011-2016), commander of Capt. Pedro F. Giusti-Piazza Cadet Squadron (2016-2018), and Puerto Rico Wing Group 2 Commander (2018-2022).
During his 25 years in the Civil Air Patrol, Lt Col Arroyo has served in various positions at the wing, group, and unit echelons such as Director of Administration, Director of Aerospace Education, Director of Cadet Programs, Director of Information Technologies, Director of Logistics, Director of Professional Development, Director of Safety, Director of Recruiting and Retention, and Director of Communications, among others.
He has completed four levels of the Civil Air Patrol professional development program and served as instructor and director in a variety of professional development courses, such as TLC, Squadron
Leadership School (SLS), Corporate Leadership Course (CLC), PRWG Summer Encampments, PRWG Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) encampments, and many leadership trainings across the Wing. As an example, in 2007 and 2008 (back-to-back), served as Encampment Commander of the Puerto Rico Wing Summer Encampment with the responsibility of 140 to 160 members.
Also, Lt Col Arroyo is a former Puerto Rico Police Officer, serving under the uniform for over 18 years and instructor of ten disciplines.
Lt Col Arroyo held the rank of Sergeant (E-5) in the Puerto Rico Army National Guard after being promoted in February 2020, where he retired from service and received an Honorable Discharge with all merits and distinctions. He also retired from the U.S. Postal Service, where he worked at the General Post Office in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico.
In his civilian education, Lt Col Arroyo holds a master’s degree in Strategic Leadership and a bachelor’s degree with a major in Management and Business Administration, both from the Ana G. Mendez University and an associated degree in Criminal Justice from the Criminal Justice College of Puerto Rico.
He and his wife, Yordania Rivera, have three children, Carlos, José, and Christofer.

 

His military awards and decorations include the following:

Army Commendation Award
Army Achievement Medal with 2 Bronze Oak
National Defense Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star
Iraq Campaign Ribbon
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 1 Mobilization (M) device
NCO Professional Development Ribbon
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
His CAP awards and decorations include:
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Exceptional Service Award
Meritorious Service Award
Commander’s Commendation Award
Achievement Award
National Commander’s Unit Citation Award
Unit Citation Award
Paul E. Garber Award
Charles Yeager Award

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