Two-year special duty assignments available as dorm managers

  • Published
  • By Valerie Mullett
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The Central Dorm Management Office is looking for a few good Airmen to join the dormitory management team. Three positions are available immediately with a forth due to come available in the next few months. The positions are two-year special duty assignments and are open to current staff sergeants. 

"I consider the dorm managers as serving in a leadership tour," said Chief Master Sgt. Steve Sargent, 341st Missile Wing command chief master sergeant. "This is an opportunity to strengthen one's chances of promotion to senior or chief, while also helping to mentor and develop our young Airmen." 

In order to be considered for promotion to these top two enlisted ranks, the chief master sergeant of the Air Force routinely briefs the promotion boards to look for candidates who have given back to the enlisted corp, according to Chief Sargent. 

Becoming a dorm manager is a sure-fired way to do just that. 

The CDMO team consists of one unaccompanied housing chief, who is already in place, and four dorm managers. The primary functions of the managers are to in- and out-process Airmen to and from their rooms. Then each would be assigned a secondary support function such as resource advisor, maintenance chief, bay orderly scheduling or operations. 

"Our daily roles are so varied, it is hard to say exactly what all we do," said Master Sgt. Albert Moczygemba, unaccompanied housing chief. "We like to get the residents as involved as possible to give them a sense of pride in their living areas." 

One way they have been successful in doing that was to form dorm councils. 

"I helped one group renovate their day room with a Superbowl theme," said Staff Sgt. Jason Ward, a heavy equipment operator with the 341st Civil Engineer Squadron who will be returning to that job at the end of the summer. "I have been a dorm manager for more than a year and a half and it has been a great job." 

Besides helping to develop Airmen, dorm managers are placed in a position that enables career enhancement. 

"It is one of the few jobs on base where you are guaranteed high visibility," said Sergeant Moczygemba. "Our dorms are the model of the command. All of the DV's that visit here tour our dorms." 

"Where else can you work and get coined regularly by generals?" Sergeant Ward added. "We all get the opportunity to brief the visitors and conduct the tours to showcase our programs and accomplishments." 

There aren't a lot of pre-requisites required to apply to become a dorm manager.
"You need to have a sense of humor, strong work ethics and good people skills," Sergeant Moczygemba said. 

For one temporary dorm manager, the sense of accomplishment is the most rewarding part of the job for her. 

"Having been a dorm resident before, it is a blessing to be able to give back to the Airmen," said Staff Sgt. Shelly Foster. "Every day provides new challenges and opportunities to make a difference in others lives. I love being able to go to work happy and go home in a good mood with a sense of accomplishment." 

In his 29 years of service, Chief Sargent said he has never seen dorms the quality of what is here at Malmstrom. 

"I attribute a lot of that to the dorm managers," he said. 

Any E5 interested in applying should contact Sergeant Moczygemba for guidance on how to get started. He can be reached at 731-3577 or via e-mail at albert.moczygemba@malmstrom.af.mil.