Managers become leaders

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Janine Thibault
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE --  As the sole living arrangement for unaccompanied Airmen on Eielson Air Force Base, the dormitories play a vital role in the daily successes on the job. Many areas need to be maintained to keep the Airmen comfortable and focused on the mission.

Leadership has realized the importance of off-duty conditions and recently implemented a change in the duty title of those in charge of the dorms from dormitory management to Airmen Dormitory Leaders.

"The Air Force wants to go into a more mentorship-type role with Airmen and not just the authoritative role," said Tech. Sgt. Jason Lady, 354th Civil Engineer Airman dormitory leader.

ADLs are the primary resource for Airmen if they need something for the dormitories.

As part of the switch to ADL's new role, dormitory leaders have become an Airman's outside source to go to in addition to shop supervisors. Their presence is not to replace shop supervisors in the chain of command, it's to extend an Airman's options to seek guidance about quality of life issues.

"We want dorm residents to feel comfortable talking to us about their needs and concerns," he said.

Dormitory leaders are still in charge of performing dormitory inspections, in and out processing, and to ensure the dormitories are in working order. The standards have always been in place to maintain a level of discipline that is beneficial to preserving the cleanliness and functionality of the dormitories.

"We also have those standards to make sure the dormitories are maintained. Especially because five or six people are expected to live in the rooms through the course of time," said Staff Sgt. Stephanie Bandy, 354th CES Airman dormitory leader.

Previously, dormitory managers would wait until Airmen came to them with any dorm issues, however the role they have now adopted has become more proactive.

"We want it to be home, but at the same time we don't want it to be like a college dorm. You want to have that discipline but you want them to feel like it's their place," said Sergeant Lady.

Recently, wing leadership visited the dorms to see Airmen's living quarters first hand.

"The inspection we had recently was more of a walk-through and greeting that let General Post, Chief Moore and the unit commanders and first sergeants have a little face time," said Sergeant Lady.

According to dorm leaders, there is an Air Force wide focus on dormitories to not only look pleasing but at the same time be livable. Airmen and dormitory leaders working together to maintain quarters will support off-duty quality of life and the Eielson mission.