Dorm managers help Airmen adjust

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Madelyn Ottem
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The six dorm managers on Travis Air Force Base have the responsibility of ensuring a safe, clean and comfortable quality of life for approximately 1,000 service member dorm residents spread across a 45-acre campus.

The transition period between leaving technical school and arriving at a first duty station is a critical time for an Airman's development and success.

"We supply new Airmen with laundry baskets that contain supplies they may not have thought to bring to get them through their first few days here," said Tech. Sgt. Reno Cruz, NCO in charge Military Airman Dorm leader.

The laundry baskets contain snack foods, towels, a toothbrush, tooth paste, laundry detergent, a plunger, shampoo, body wash and a comforter set, all packed into a laundry basket.

"My favorite item in the gift basket was definitely the towel," said Airman 1st Class Juan Gavidia, 60th Logistics Readiness Squadron internet protocol technician. "All I wanted to do when I got off my flight was take a good shower."

A dorm brief is given to every unaccompanied housing dorm resident during in-processing during which Airmen learn the regulations, the consequences for not complying with the regulations and the services available to dormitory residents.

Airmen can utilize the dorm manager's office by checking out vacuums, vanity cleaners and toilet paper, all free of cost.

Not only are cleaning supplies provided for free, Airmen are also able to check out board games, video-game consoles and sports equipment.

Every dorm building comes equipped with at least one exercise room, multiple day rooms, laundry rooms and dorm residents may check out a key for the car-wash station.

The dorm manager position is a special duty that lasts for two years, and it is their responsibility to maintain cleanliness throughout the campus, assist with in-processing and out-processing Airmen, provide first sergeants with keys to conduct room inspections, resolve maintenance issues and provide Airmen with recreational supplies.

"Every day the Bay Orderly team assists us with tidying up around the dorms and making sure they are being kept clean and in inspection order," Cruz said. "We also rely on Bay Orderly to help identify any maintenance issues that occur."

According to Cruz, if an Airman breaks something in their room that needs to be fixed or replaced, the easiest and smartest route is for that Airman to talk to the dorm manager.

"In most cases we can provide the materials to repair it," he said. "If an issue is found without the Airman coming to talk to us first, we have to get the first sergeants involved and that may result in punishment."

"We want to take care of Travis Airmen, make sure they are comfortable and have everything they need at their disposal," Cruz said.