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Dorm leaders manage facilities, help Airmen through tough times

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  For some brand-new, single Airmen, arriving to their first duty station can be a scary situation. Many have never lived away from their parents and have only graduated from high school a few months before. Now, facing a new world with endless possibilities, these young Airmen need to find mentors and leaders who will help them in their transition into the Air Force. This is the job of the Airmen Dormitory Leaders.

In 2012, Staff Sgt. Erika Wenzel left her job as a cyber-transport technician to embrace the role as an Airman Dormitory Leader because she felt the opportunity would provide a chance to make a difference in young peoples' lives.

"I wanted to be a dorm leader because of the Airmen," Wenzel said. "We get to focus on them without having to worry about punishments or writing reports; we get to help develop them. My favorite part is having a relationship where they feel free to communicate with us about anything. Sometimes Airmen just stop by on their way to work to say hi. It's great knowing we are a part of their life as well."

More than 380 single Airmen are housed in three dormitories: Shiloh, Belleville, and Mascoutah.

Staff Sgt. Jason Relik is the other Airman Dormitory Leader. He said this job can be challenging due to the time requirements, but "it is also very rewarding."

"You have to be willing to sacrifice some of your time for the greater good of the Airman," said Relik. "We are on call quite a bit. We have to come back to the dorms for different situations: lockouts, fires, or anything else that could happen. We have to make sure the Airmen are taken care of in the home the Air Force provides them."

Besides being on-call every day of the year, the dorm management team is responsible for in-and-outprocessing Airmen moving in and out of the dorms and maintaining several financial reports, such as Basic Allowance for Housing verification.

They also maintain the dorm facilities and bay orderly program. Every week, four Airmen from different squadrons spend a week cleaning the outside and inside of the dorms, including the day rooms and courtyards.

Wenzel said, "The Airmen on bay orderly duty help us with the day-to-day maintenance, and with any tours or visits to the dorms from high school students to commanders. We have a dorm council here. We try and assist them with anything they need, for example, if they are hosting an event, we reach out to the other organizations to find funding and volunteers."

Airman 1st Class Manique Braziel, 375th Force Support Squadron force management journeyman, said the dormitory leaders have provided support when he has needed it.

"The dorm leaders are phenomenal when it comes to taking care of the Airmen in the dorms," the dorm council member said. "Since I've been here, there has been nothing I couldn't approach them about, that wasn't solved as quickly as possible. Once, my kitchen sink over flowed, leaking all over my floors leading into my bedroom. That same day, Wenzel had 375th Civil Engineer Squadron personnel fix the sink, mop the floors, and even cleaned my carpets for me. They're also just a pleasure to be around, very approachable, and you leave their office without a worry or care. You know whatever is going on will be dealt with immediately, and that's one less stress you have to deal with that day."

Master Sgt. Adam Page, dormitory superintendent, said the dormitory management team works hard to take care of the Airmen, so he can focus on his main responsibilities, which center on maintenance, budget, and morale and welfare programs.

"We are here to be their mentors. When I'm looking at a dorm management team, I'm looking for a person who can relate to people on a personal level, not only the professional level. You need to be able to understand where an Airman is coming from and what their immediate need is, and even look past what they are asking for and try to identify the root of the issue. This team takes on so much of the workload, it frees up my time to focus on making the Airmen's living situation better."

Wenzel, who has been a dormitory leader for two years, said the squadrons first sergeants play a key role in supporting their team and the Airmen who reside in the dorms, including taking care of those struggling with alcoholism, thoughts of suicide or harm to oneself.

"Anytime we notice something with an Airman, or if he/she have come by to talk to us, and there are things that need to be addressed at a higher level, we always reach out to the Airman's squadron," she said. The first sergeants provide a lot of support. If we address a problem with an Airman, they will take care of that person."

Relik said many Airmen have approached him to get assistance in normal, everyday tasks. Recently, he helped an Airman register his vehicle. He has also talked to Airmen, who come back to visit after moving out.

Master Sgt. Jason Brown, 15th Operational Weather Squadron first sergeant, works with the dormitory leaders whenever there are any problems or issues that need to be addressed. He said he is extremely impressed with the professionalism and dedication of the dormitory management team.

Brown said, "We have an outstanding dorm management team. Page, Wenzel, and Relik do a tremendous job in providing front-line support to our junior enlisted Airmen living in the dormitories. The dorm management team is very passionate about helping Airmen and they all truly care about their health and morale. I've always received positive feedback from my Airmen about them."

The passionate dorm management team is dedicated to taking care of the Airmen, whether they need advice, support or someone to talk to.

"Mostly, we are here to support the Airmen," Wenzel said. "They come in here for various reasons, whether it is advice on anything going on at work, financial help, banking or family issues. Some Airmen don't have cars and will ask about car loans. Sometimes they are going through some struggles in their lives, and we have an open door policy. We respect and take care of each other."