Managing the dorms

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class J. Zuriel Lee
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  After instructing Airmen on bay orderly duties and advising the dorm council members on their next obligation, the dorm managers continue with their daily tasking of monitoring the dorms and maintaining the quality of life for their residents.

"We make sure that the quality of life is up to standard," said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Robert Welch, 97th Civil Engineer Squadron Airman dorm leader.

Airman dorm leaders (dorm managers) ensure there are no issues in the rooms and manage forms of entertainment in the communal dayrooms including cable television and games. Dorm leaders also help their Airmen by providing professional advice.

Helping the Airmen requires the dorm leaders to become involved in his or her Airmen's lives.

"The best part of the job is the influence I have on new Airmen from technical school to shape their careers," said Welch. "Between Sgt. Gallagher and myself, we have 35 years of experience, so we can guide them in the right direction."

"We watch a new Airman develop from a 'kid' into a self-sufficient adult," said Welch. "Watching them progress through the ranks and knowing we helped guide him or her in the right direction is a rewarding experience."

A job like this requires more than just knowing which rooms are occupied and being certain that incoming Airmen will have a room upon their arrival.

"We balance the in-bound residents with those moving out," said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Michael Gallagher, 97th CES Airman dorm leader. "We make sure the rooms are in good condition and have minimal problems. We have an average of 15 work orders a day and we have to leave the dorms at 95 percent occupancy, leaving room for inbound Airmen that we might not have known were coming."

This duty position is not one to be taken lightly.

"It's very involved," said Welch. "In most career fields, an NCO is in charge of two or three Airmen. In this job, we are in charge of 200 Airmen on a daily basis. That means you are dealing with 200 personalities and 200 Airmen's supervisors, first sergeants and flight chiefs."

For these dorm leaders, the job comes with its own rewards.

"Having an Airman come up to me and say that he or she appreciates what we have done or advice that we gave is the most rewarding. That is awesome," said Gallagher.