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Airman makes the best of living in dorms

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kali L. Gradishar
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Life in the dorms is something many Airmen experience. Some experiences are great. Others are not. And there are those who do not mind either way. Some Airmen search for entertaining activities, while others wait for something to come knocking on their door.

Two months ago, Airman 1st Class Heather Jenkins, 92nd Medical Operations Squadron, arrived at Fairchild unsure of what to expect. She hadn't heard much about the base. She knew only where it was and what she learned in technical school in preparation for her new career.

Like many young Airmen during their first years in the Air Force, Airman Jenkins lives in the dorms. And like many of the dorm rooms, hers has bits and pieces of issued furniture, the same décor as every other room and she has acquired the responsibility of keeping her room tidy on a daily basis.

Prior to arriving at Fairchild, Airman Jenkins attended technical school at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, and Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., where she also had to live in dorm environments.

"The dorms here are a lot better than what we have at tech. school," said Airman Jenkins, noting how the carpeting, painting and roominess of the dorms here provide much better living conditions.

It is more than the looks of the place, though. It's the feel of the place and the sense of teamwork among Airmen living in the dorms that is really important.

"We have what we call 'GI parties' every week where we get together and do details in the dorms," Airman Jenkins said. "It's not just cleaning that we do. It's really a good way to meet people. We are getting work done while we're hanging out with our friends and making new ones."

The 'GI parties' must have paid off in Airman Jenkins dorm, as the 92nd Medical Group dormitory won Dorm of the Quarter. With the winnings, the medical dorm was able to acquire new furniture for the day room, a place Airmen can kick up their feet, relax and watch television or movies on the big-screen television.

"It's really nice that we got the new furniture after we won. It's really comfortable stuff," she said. "I'm definitely a fan of the massage chair. I could sit in that for hours."

Along with the dayroom, a full kitchen supplied with everything from utensils to pots and pans is available for the Airmen to use.

The benefits are abundant. The people. The facilities. The location.

The dorms are in a location that makes it easy to walk to such places as the Warrior Inn Dining Facility, cybercafé, Base Exchange, shoppette, commissary, fitness center and other highly visited facilities on the base.

"It makes things much easier with the dorms centrally located. I don't really have a car, so being within walking distance to so many places is really convenient," said Airman Jenkins. "It's nice, too, that the dining facility is close so I know I won't starve."

The cybercafé is yet another advantage. Computers with internet access are available for the dorm residents to use, as well as wireless Internet for those who wish to bring in their laptops. The cybercafé also features a small, self-serve coffee bar that is open to the residents at all hours.

"The cybercafé is pretty great. It seems like there is always a computer available if I need to use one," Airman Jenkins said.

It's also an plus that Airmen in similar career fields live in the same dorms, so not only do you get to meet new people, you're meeting the people you work with, too, she noted.

"There aren't a whole lot of things that I would change about the dorm I live in. I don't have to worry about paying rent or utilities, I live close to work and it doesn't really cost me to eat in the dining facility," said Airman Jenkins. "I know why they aren't allowed, but I wish we could have pets. More washers and dryers would be nice, too."

The advantages are many and the disadvantages few. The dorms can be a place of calm, tranquility, adventure, camaraderie, retreat and whatever else Airmen may make of their circumstances.

Though many Airmen stay in the dorms only until they have concluded the time and rank requirement of three years or senior airman, the base dormitories are still a temporary home for those like Airman Jenkins.