Meet the new inspector general

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kristina Overton
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Montana --  After almost 15 years of what she says has probably been one of the most diverse career backgrounds an officer could have, Maj. Natalie Bonetti joined Team Malmstrom and began serving as the 341st Missile Wing's new inspector general Sept. 8, 2009.

Major Bonetti graduated from Bradley University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics.

She went on to join the Air Force in 1995 working as a dietician at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. She was reassigned was to Maxwell AFB, Ala., in July 1996. In 2000, she was selected for the Air Force Intern Program at the Pentagon where she earned her Master's degree in Organizational Management at George Washington University. Following completion of her degree, she received orders in July 2002 to F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., where she worked as health promotion director.

"The biggest challenge and achievement my team had at F.E. Warren was writing the implementation guidance for WarFit - the blue print for what became the Air Force's new fitness program," said Major Bonetti .

At her 10-year point, she crossed over from the medical service to the line side of the Air Force as a Services officer and was assigned at Air Force Space Command Headquarters as the protocol operations officer. Three years later, in 2008, she was selected to be 332nd Expeditionary Force Support Squadron commander at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, before finally being assigned to Malmstrom Air Force Base.

Though Major Bonetti now serves as the IG for the wing, the circumstances of how she arrived at Malmstrom was surrounding the Air Force Join Spouse program.

"My husband (Lt. Col. Peter Bonetti)  was already assigned as the 10th Missile Squadron commander. Fortunately, the Wing Commander thought he could use me here as his IG," Major Bonetti said.

As the 341 Missile Wing IG, the major is charged with managing and executing the wing's Complaints Resolution and Fraud, Waste and Abuse programs, and with serving as the eyes, ears and conscience of the Wing Commander.

"This is a completely new assignment and position for me," Major Bonetti said, "but as with any opportunity presented to me, even if it's unfamiliar, I will always strive to learn and perform to the best of my ability.

"I really look forward to conducting unit visits, and meeting more of our community members," the major said. "More than anything, I look forward to assisting our Airmen, civilians, and the Wing's leadership with any questions and concerns that they have to facilitate quick resolution of problems to keep the right focus on the mission."

Major Bonetti hopes to establish a strong foundation and accomplish important goals while fulfilling her position as IG.

"I want the wing's leadership to be able to view the IG as an extension of their leadership toolkit," she said. "I can be used to help focus command/leadership involvement where it's needed to improve the performance, productivity and morale of their unit personnel."

The major hopes to increase and expand education and training across the base populace on the wing's CPA and FWA programs by briefing commanders and first sergeants and ensuring as they swap out, their individual replacements receive a personalized IG Overview brief. She'd also like to brief at more commander's calls and hopefully, other educational venues like professional development meetings.

The major also intends to increase IG presence and accessibility across the wing by teaming with the Equal Opportunity director to conduct unit visits and circulating around the wing to assess organizational climate. She plans to publicize IG-related news in the base bulletin or base paper, as well.

Lastly, Major Bonetti hopes her efforts will build office continuity to set her successor up for success so "he/she can hit the ground running from day one."

"As a commander, I learned that being visible and being just were the two most important actions required for sustaining and/or improving morale," Major Bonetti said. "I think I can apply this to being an IG, as well. I don't know who authored the phrase but I've tried to live according to it: 'Don't count the days; make the days count.' "