Jake DeRuyter, a 2015 U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, shares a compelling leadership journey marked by unexpected challenges and resilient adaptation.

Initially aspiring to be a pilot, DeRuyter faced a critical moment when back surgery disqualified him from his dream career, forcing him to quickly choose a new Air Force Specialty Code within just one hour. Despite the uncertainty, he remained calm and strategic, ultimately transitioning to intelligence and then to an ROTC instructor role. His leadership philosophy emerged from these experiences: staying flexible, maintaining a strong network and focusing on developing others rather than just personal advancement.