Aviano's Finest - Master Sergeant-Captain Category

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AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Name: 2nd Lt. Stephen Boogar

Unit: 31st Comptroller Squadron

Duty Title: Financial Services Flight

How long have you worked for the military? 2 years

Hometown City, State and/or Country: Menlo Park, California

How do you support the 31st Fighter Wing mission? The Financial Services Flight pays the paychecks and travel vouchers of every Active Duty, US Civilian and Local National Employee at Aviano and several Geographically Separated Units. Additionally, we manage the base's cash disbursing operation, Government Travel Card Program, Defense Travel System and LeaveWeb system.

What's one thing you've learned about Italy's history, people and culture? BASTA PIANGERE SUL LATTE VERSATO! RIDI SUL VINO BEVUTO! (Don't cry over milk that is spilt ! Smile over wine that is drunk!)

What's one advantage of being stationed overseas? Being stationed in Northern Italy has allowed me to travel all over Europe. My friends and I have done a lot of driving trips and Ryanair flights and it has felt like a vacation practically every weekend.

What's your favorite European destination and why? My favorite place so far has been Croatia. I've been three times and its always great weather, beautiful coastlines and rich history no matter which town you visit.

Why I nominated Lieutenant Boogar as one of Aviano's finest? Lieutenant Boogar has led the Aviano effort as the USAFE pilot base for the Controlled Spending Account implementation. He has performed all actions to ensure 700 cardholders are ready to go as the implementation goes live in USAFE. The 31st Maintenance Group Commander handpicked Lieutenant Boogar to validate $602M weapons inventory; his efforts enabled NSI excellent rating & Inspector General special recognition. Additionally, he is the Wing Operation Air Force Point of Contact; in this position he managed all logistical operations to show Aviano to academy cadets. Finally, Lieutenant Boogar was the coach of the first-ever Wing Staff Agency volleyball team, generating unit-cohesion and camaraderie.