New 100th Operations Group commander reflects on career, mentors, Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Clark Staehle
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  The 100th Operations Group at RAF Mildenhall has a new commander. Colonel J.D. Clifton assumed command of the 100th Operations Group July 13. 

His last assignment was as deputy commander of the 721st Air Mobility Operations Group at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. 

Although now a group commander, the colonel began his military career with stripes.
"Originally I enlisted in '78," he said. "It was two years, five months and 29 days before I got out and went back to school." 

He went on to receive his commission in 1983 through the University of Tennessee's ROTC program, where he received a bachelor's in computer science with a minor in mathematics. Additionally, he has two master's degrees, one in international relations from Troy State University and another in strategic studies from the Army War College. 

Achieving a goal like being commissioned or advancing to the rank of colonel takes initiative to recognize and use the opportunities the Air Force provides. 

"There're all kinds of programs and educational opportunities, both in and outside the military," he said. "Don't be afraid to get out there and jump into the fray. Don't be afraid to take advantage of those opportunities that exist. 

"The only reason I'm sitting here today is because I had the opportunities, saw them, took them ... and a lot of hard work and a few years later, here I am." 

While younger Airmen don't always seize every opportunity presented to them, the colonel believes they are better equipped in some ways than previous generations.
"I think today's Airmen are more knowledgeable about technology and more savvy on ways to figure out how to work smarter," Colonel Clifton said. "They can multitask a lot better, and I think that's partly because they've been doing it all their lives. My kids can watch television and send e-mails and do 15 things, it seems like, all at the same time. I think that's a skill newer Airmen are bringing to our Air Force. My generation, we never did that. We were never trained to do that." 

The colonel also learned other lessons during his career. 

"There have been a lot of officers, not all squadron commanders, but a lot of different officers through the years who've mentored me and helped me," he said. "This is going to sound a little funny, but they weren't always senior to me. Sometimes some of the best advice was from people who were junior to me. "So I guess what I'm trying to say is when you're choosing mentors, it's not necessarily the person who's most senior. Mentors come in all kinds of sizes, shapes and forms." 

Colonel Clifton is able to put all his experience to good use as he brings lessons and observations that will prove valuable during his tenure here. 

Being an operations group commander is the fulfillment of a career-long goal for him. 

"(I will) make sure the operations group is prepared to meet any challenge that's thrown out, no matter what that challenge is or where it comes from," he said. "I always wanted to be the ops group commander, and I'm here. So I'm going to concentrate on being the best operations group commander I can be."