LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Some Langley Airmen shouldn't get too comfortable in their dorm rooms.
Within the next year, about 30 percent of Airmen living in the dorms will move based on a concept called unit integrity.
Unit integrity, which is based on Air Force Instruction 32-6005, groups squadron members into dormitories based on the size of their squadron and where they would fit best.
Additionally, unit integrity will help Airmen get to know the people in their squadron better, allowing those who work different shifts to hang out in their off-duty time, said Staff Sgt. Kevin Hummel, dorm management's unaccompanied housing manager.
Within the dorms, this will also help unit cohesion while two dorms are being renovated and two are scheduled for demolition.
"Airmen benefit by being around familiar faces, which allows for wingman relationships to build faster and with stronger bonds of trust," said Chief Master Sgt. James MacKinley, 1st Fighter Wing command chief. "Airmen who have already moved tell me they even feel safer because they live next to or share suites with coworkers now."
Dorm management has been working on this project for about six months. Phase one of the unit integrity plan started with Olsavsky Hall in October 2007, and the final phase of unit integrity will be done when Langley's newest dorm, currently referred to as Fiscal Year 2007 dorm, is completed in March 2009.
Throughout the yearlong project, dorm management will move Airmen individually, using a timeline based on a number of factors including deployments, temporary duty assignments and leave.
"The object is to give residents as much notification as possible," said Master Sgt. John Crews Jr., unaccompanied housing superintendent.
Dorm management's goal is to provide Airmen with as much advance notice as possible - up to 45 days; however, some Airmen may receive less notice based on scheduling conflicts.
"We want that to be the exception, not the norm," Sergeant Crews said. "We're trying to be as flexible as possible and still accomplish the mission of unit integrity."
Accomplishing unit integrity creates a win-win situation for Airmen and commanders, according to the chief.
"When a commander has Airmen in several dorms, it's hard for him or her to provide resources to improve the quality of life for Airmen," Chief MacKinley said. "However, when Airmen are centralized within one or two dorms, it's easier for group and squadron leadership to be involved in many aspects of our young Airmen's lives."
For more information on unit integrity, Airmen can call dorm management at 764-4049.