100th OG commander shares thoughts, expectations as she joins RAF Mildenhall Published June 21, 2012 By Karen Abeyasekere 100th Air Refueling Wing RAF MILDENHALL, England -- During her sophomore year at Michigan State University, Nancy Bozzer was studying to become a lawyer. But with a private pilot's license in her pocket at just 17, she soon decided it wasn't the life she wanted. Not having much of a military background in her immediate family (though some of her relatives were enlisted during World War II), Bozzer, from Gaylord, Mich., initially had no thoughts of joining the Air Force. But after seeing some movies featuring the Air Force, and already having her pilot's license, she decided to visit the Reserve Officers' Training Corps on the campus. Col. Nancy Bozzer took command of the 100th Operations Group June 14 at RAF Mildenhall, and explained how Col. John S. Rogers, her ROTC detachment commander back at MSU, influenced her decision to cross into the blue. "I told him my story about not being cut out to be a lawyer, and how I was waitressing to put myself through school," said. Bozzer. "I didn't want to be a waitress for the rest of my life, and he encouraged me to try ROTC for one semester, to see if I liked it. "After the semester was up, I'd fallen in love with (ROTC) so I continued on, and that's how my Air Force career started," she said. After earning the Distinguished Graduate award of the Air Force ROTC program, she went on to become an air traffic control officer, receiving her training at Tyndall Air Force base, Fla. She then moved to her first station at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Later in her career, Bozzer was stationed at McConnell Air Force base, Kan. She started her tenure at McConnell AFB as the 384th Air Refueling Squadron operations officer. The squadron was known as the "Square Patchers." Two years later, she became the squadron commander for the 350th Air Refueling Squadron - the Red Falcons - who were one of the original squadrons of the 100th Bombardment Group. She said it was because of her assignment as the 360th ARS commander, and the squadron's history, that she feels she was destined to be at RAF Mildenhall, home of the "Square D." "I'm thrilled to be leading the 100th OG. It's like a dream - I have to keep pinching myself every once in a while," she said. "We have an awesome bunch of people here." Bozzer said there are three things she expects from those under her command. "Integrity, honesty and loyalty are vital," she said. "It's very important that people give 110 percent to their work, all the time. If you don't have that foundation, and people don't care and aren't willing to give 110 percent, then it's hard to keep a cohesive unit." "I need people to work hard, take care of their (troops), and mentor each other, no matter how many stripes they have, or what rank they have on their shoulders. Not being perfect, or coming up short sometimes, or even failing at a task is okay, because people are pushing themselves past their comfort zone," she said. "It's important to me that people want to come to work every day, and that they are excited about their job and are professional, and I want to instill that, and keep that excitement going." As to her vision for the future, Bozzer said that she wants to build on how the 100th OG does things. "We'll continue to build partnerships within the wing and with allied partners, as well as other countries, and continue to excel in the air refueling mission as the European tanker force." She added that in return for her group's integrity, honesty and loyalty, she will give everything she has to make them successful. "I feel I bring a new energy and a fresh perspective to the mission," she said. "I love what I do. From my first semester in college, when I found my niche and my 'light switch' (of realization that she wanted to be in the Air Force) came on, I bring that love of our profession. "My job is to take care of my people, so they can take care of the mission, and I'll give 110 percent every day that I'm here," Bozzer said.