Lt. Col. Debroah Nazimiec

Air Guard's Nazimiec has broken a few

By Anna Ferguson
Courtesy The Brunswick News

Deborah Nazimiec has made a career out of breaking boundaries.

During the past three decades of her life, taking on unprecedented roles has been a constant for the lieutenant colonel. Now, as Nazimiec is set to become the first female commander of Brunswick's 224th Joint Communication Support Squadron of the Georgia Air National Guard, it's really not much of a monumental occasion for her.

"The woman thing, it's not really a big deal," said Nazimiec, "That's what it's been my entire career. When you are in a career field dominated by men, you really have no choice but to break barriers."

When Nazimiec enrolled in college in 1976, she had to work full-time as well as go to class to pay for schooling. After a semester, though, she found the double-duty to be too trying to fund her schooling, she opted to receive the GI Bill and joined the U.S. Air Force with hopes of obtaining a degree followed by a career as a pharmacists.

Life led her down other paths, though.

"Once I put on that Air Force uniform, I couldn't take it off," she said. "My father was also in the military, and that made a really strong impression on me."

After taking a battery of military recruitment tests, Nazimiec showed she had a true aptitude for math and science. Immediately, she was assigned to the electronic engineering field, working with an assortment of advanced and complex technology and programming.

"They thought, we need a woman in that field," she said. "And I said 'Holy cow. Well, OK. This seems cool and it makes sense to me. I think I can do that.'"

Turns out, she was right. After earning a degree in electronic engineering technology from Fort Valley State College, she added on a graduate degree in management from Georgia College and State University and then went on to hold a cache of commission, management and command posts throughout the Georgia Air National Guard.

Prior to her Brunswick post, she commanded Macon's 202d Engineering Installation Squadron in 2003. Under her command, the unit was awarded two Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards, the highest unit award presented by the Air Force.

The unit also was recognized with the Mission Support Award for Best Engineering Installation unit in the National Guard and the Outstanding Engineering Installation unit.

When Nazimiec takes on the Golden Isles, she will have big shoes to fill, replacing Lt. Col. Richard Austin, who is retiring after 28 years of service.

As the new commander of the 224th unit, Nazimiec voiced hope of creating a strong support system for her unit members and helping her team become the best it can be.

"I'm very excited about this new role," she said. "I have had a number of positions throughout my career, and I think it's because of the background and experience that I was awarded this commander position. I'm hoping this will be as seamless and transparent a transition as possible."

As Nazimiec has climbed through the ranks of the Georgia Air National Guard during the past 30 years, she has found an overwhelming change in attitudes from her fellow guard members. When she started out, women were just becoming staples in the military, with doors only slightly open.

Today, she said, the options afforded to the female unit members are endless, and fellow guardsman are refreshingly receptive and accepting to women as peers and leaders.

"A woman in the military now is only held back by her own ambitions," she said. "Of course, there are some instances when I have been met with initial trepidation, people wondering if I got the job because of my education, experience and credentials, or because I am a woman. But I have found folks always become very receptive once you get into your post. Attitudes have changed. Woman have always been capable, and now, they have the opportunities to show it."

Nazimiec's pattern of breaking boundaries extends beyond the Air National Guard. Most recently, Nazimiec, a Bonaire resident, took part in a Warner Robins bowling tournament. Nailing strike after strike, Nazimiec proudly boasts she clinched a new record in the 700 World Series.

"I love to bowl," she said. "I guess I'm just breaking barriers all over the place."

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