LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Some dormitory residents will be on the move to make room for new construction. Residents of Williams Hall were notified the building will be demolished and that they must relocate during the next two months.
"It's our goal and hope that this transition goes smoothly for the residents," said Staff Sgt. Marquis Echols, 1st Civil Engineer Squadron, non-commissioned officer in charge of dormitory management.
As openings in other dormitories become available, Williams Hall residents will be assigned to a new room. They will have two to three weeks to complete the move after they are notified, said Sergeant Echols.
Senior Airmen living in Williams Hall will be asked to move off base. Sergeant Echols also mentioned that others approaching their third year in the Air Force may also have the opportunity to move off base on a case-by-case basis.
Williams Hall currently houses 1st Medical Group Airmen, centered on the idea of Dorm Integrity. Dorm Integrity is a concept based on Air Force Instruction 32-6005 and groups squadron members into dormitories based on the size of their squadron and where they would fit best.
"Airmen who have lived in the dorms for 20 or more months will look at the move as an opportunity to make a transition off base," said Master Sgt. Darryl Postell, 1st Medical Group first sergeant. "My worry is for the junior Airmen who have only known Dorm Integrity in their young careers."
Sergeant Postell is concerned for the junior Airmen because the move will separate them from friends and an environment they've grown accustomed to during a time when their careers are full of adjustments, he said.
"We'll need to visit more, ask how things are going more often, and be more attentive to our immediate subordinates to make up for the lack of co-worker presence at home," said Sergeant Postell.
Simpson Hall, already vacant, and Williams Hall are scheduled for demolition at the end of March. They will be replaced by one dormitory building which will have quad rooms. Quads have four separate rooms connected by a common living area and kitchen, which four Airmen will share.
One of dormitory management's main concerns involves Airmen who are deployed during the time residents are asked to move. According to Sergeant Echols, if residents can't be notified of their room change, their first sergeant will inform their supervisor. It is then the supervisor's duty to ensure that their Airman's belongings are properly moved into their new room.
Sergeant Postell advises Airmen to get involved in their dorm councils, embrace them as their community and keep leaders informed of negative happenings in the new dorms.
"Give the adjustment time to feel right," he said. "Make a new friend in the new dorm. Friends will care if things are going well for you and may be your first line of defense for any adjustment problems."
For more information, call dorm management or Staff Sgt. Echols at 764-4090.