KMC Airman dorm leaders needed

by Lt. Col. Jarrett Purdue
86th Civil Engineer Squadron commander

The 86th Civil Engineer Squadron is seeking motivated NCOs to fill Airman dorm leader positions in the KMC.

Currently, there are two vacancies for staff sergeants, with three more positions opening in the spring. By July, there will be one opening for a master sergeant.
Dorm management or Unaccompanied Personnel Housing offers volunteers a high visibility special duty assignment. Dorm leaders will learn new skills, such as personnel, facility and resource management, and be able to put them to immediate use as the 86th CES progresses through its $245 million dormitory investment plan. 

Although there are new skills to be gained as a dorm leader, the top item on the agenda is the Airmen. In fact, the primary job is to interact with the youngest Airmen every day to improve their lives as much as possible. This position is an opportunity to mentor young Airmen while ensuring they have the highest quality of living.

Ensuring Airmen have a clean, safe and secure home is critical to their morale and readiness, so maintaining living conditions for Airmen is one of the top priorities in the Air Force.

Although there is no prerequisite training needed to become an dorm leader, there are some basic skills that are desired.

Energetic, self-motivated individuals with a strong work ethic and the ability to take on a project and work autonomously are needed. Good interpersonal skills are absolutely necessary in order to interact with all levels of leadership while advocating for and mentoring Airmen.

Many may think dorm leaders only manage bay orderlies. In fact, they manage the Dorm Reception Center’s day-to-day operations, process inbound and outbound residents, and directly support more than 1,200 Airmen. Also, they provide facility
management for 15 dormitories with 1,361 rooms valued at $167 million.

In addition to providing assistance to Airmen in the dorms, dorm leaders also interact with leadership of 41 units and first sergeants to address residents’ concerns.

Whether through a simple gesture or a completed project, dorm leaders have the ability to greatly affect Airmen in their day-to-day life, and the collective efforts of the team do not go unnoticed. Last year, the team racked up an impressive array of awards at the group and MAJCOM and won an Air Force level annual award.
The process to become a dorm leader requires the following:

Staff sergeants and technical sergeants are eligible to apply, however they must not have an assignment pending. Applicants must have two years retainability or be willing to extend to have a minimum of two years.

Applicants must submit an application that also includes a release letter with their commander’s endorsement, their last three EPRs and their fitness test scores. After the package is reviewed, the chief of Unaccompanied Personnel Housing, or UPH superintendent, will interview the volunteer. Once selected, the package is approved at the wing, MAJCOM and AFPC for approval and release. The 86th CES will continue to advertise until all the positions are filled.

For questions on how to become a dorm leader, call Unaccompanied Personnel Housing at 480-3676.