Meet the new MDG commander Published Aug. 11, 2011 By Airman Cortney Paxton 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- After 19 years and several assignments around the globe, ranging from base-level to Pentagon, Col. Bruce Roehm joined Team Malmstrom this past June to serve as Air Force Global Strike Command's 341st Medical Group commander. Roehm was commissioned through the Military Indoctrination for Medical Service Officers in 1991 boasting two degrees; a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Centre College in Danville, Ky., and a Master of Business Administration from Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind. This East Peoria, Ill., native served his first assignment as a director of personnel and administration and as a Medical Squadron section commander close to home - Chanute Air Force Base, Ill. "[Chanute] was really where I learned the ropes." He said, "My sponsor and first sergeant, who worked for me, really helped me with the transition into the Air Force." From there, the colonel held various positions around the United States, as well as two tours overseas; one as the aeromedical evacuation liaison team officer in charge and Aeromedical Evacuation Flight director of operations for the 9th Aeromedical Flight, 9th Air Expeditionary Group, in Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, and one as the 39th Medical Support Flight commander and administrator, 39th Medical Group, at Incirlik AB, Turkey. "I'm from Illinois and I've worked for the Chief of Staff of the Air Force; I worked as a White House social-aide and have been on two inaugural platforms," he said. "I've been a commander several times. I was a section commander at Chanute and Andrews; I've been a squadron commander at McChord and now a group commander here. Where else are you going to get these levels of experiences and responsibility from day one?" Roehm received orders to Malmstrom AFB during his second assignment working at the Office of the Surgeon General in Rosslyn City, Va. After his arrival on June 17, he accepted command of the 341st Medical Group June 20. He considers the most rewarding part of his career to be the ability to impact people's lives; being put into leadership positions has given him the chance to both mentor and learn from other people. "There's more than one way to get from here to there; I'll tell you what I feel has made me successful and if you can take it and make it better, all the power to you," he said. "But I'm also going to tell you where I think I've made a mistake... I just don't want you to make the same mistake. I guess its part of the mentoring process, but I tend to share both the good and the bad." Roehm described himself as a detail-oriented, goal-setting type of person both on- and off-duty. He's always looking for improvements around him whether it be at the clinic for his Airmen, or personally within his own life. "Taking the facility to a new operating level is my main goal here," he said. "My mission is to develop airmen and improve mission accomplishment. I'm all about expectation management, feedback, training and development. I also want to migrate the 341st Medical Group into proactive patient management perspectives as we continue to support Team Malmstrom; the mission and readiness of our Airmen and their families deserve it. It isn't always do more with less, but do it proactively and smarter." When the colonel isn't looking for ways to improve the things around him, he's usually outside running; he considers physical fitness to be an important part of his life. He could also be found partaking in one of Malmstrom's popular summer hobbies - motorcycles. He owns a Harley Davidson V-Rod and takes it out every chance he gets. "I'm not a hunter; I'm not a fisherman; I'm not a skier," he said. "I'm not really outdoorsy." Although he's never really been outdoorsy, he plans to embrace the great outdoors that Montana offers by maybe cross-country skiing or snowshoeing this winter. As the new 341st MDG commander, Roehm plans to focus his leadership based on the hard work and dedication of his Airmen. "From what I've seen so far, the Mighty Medics are eager to succeed and be the best at what they do," he said. "I'm here to advocate for them and their programs. They are the subject matter experts. Together as a team, we will do great things. I'm looking forward to the ride."