Michael Rueda

Background

About Michael Rueda

CONSTANTLY improving and ALWAYS helping others. Two goals that I hold as the beacons to guide my professional career today. Currently, I am the Fleet Safety and Training Program Manager for all P-3/EP-3 aircraft in the U.S. Navy. But my career as a pilot began 10 years ago when I received my commission as a Naval Officer from the U.S. Naval Academy. After numerous qualifications, flight hours, 550 instructor hours, and 3 children later, my career has just begun. Over the past year and a half as the Fleet Program Manager, I manage a team of 24 Fleet Evaluators who inspect and assist the NATOPS, Training, Safety, and CRM departments of the twenty P-3 and EP-3 organizations stationed worldwide. In addition to ensuring that the fleet is strictly adhering to the publications and instructions, we make sure that they are up-to-date. Before taking over such a rewarding job, 4 years ago I became a P-3 Instructor Pilot and then a year later the Navy selected me as a FRS (RAG) Instructor Pilot. As an FRS instructor, I train pilots in the P-3 before they join an operational squadron. Some of my most rewarding collateral duties, among many, were as the Anti Terrorism Force Protection Officer at the U.S. Naval Academy where I learned to act as a command security coordinator. And as the squadron CRM Facilitator, I learned the value of emphasizing crew resource management as a training pillar in our organization. Now I’m ready to start my new career from the ground up, using all the knowledge and mentorship that I received thus far and eventually providing knowledge and mentorship to those whom I can help. In conclusion, aviation has always been a passion of mine but I could never have predicted how much it has taught me about teamwork and professionalism.