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While Ramstein undergoes a constant change with construction, the dorms are also being given a makover – they’re being torn down and replaced with new facilities.
One of the newest construction projects is the dorm directly across from Mom’s Music and Video store on Mitchell Avenue, which are being torn down and replaced.
The Air Force has developed a master plan that provides the Air Force with a comprehensive planning tool for future building projects, said Karen Leonard, 86th Civil Engineering Squadron director of housing.
“We are tearing down this building so we can reconstruct a newer, better dormitory,” Ms. Leonard said. “A team recently came in and assessed all of the facilities throughout the Kaiserslautern Military Community. The plan is basically to tear down the oldest and worst buildings that have outlived their life cycle.”
With the plan to tear down structures, there comes a new plan to replace the buildings.
“The new dorms are ‘Dorm 4 Airmen,’” Ms. Leonard said. “Instead of dormitories where residents have to share a bathroom or kitchen, these dorms will have four rooms with their own bathrooms and will share a living and kitchen area.”
The new 128-room dormitory is estimated to be completed in the fall of 2011.
Although new dorms are being built, the older dorms are not forgotten.
“We have what we call Bridge Plan Projects,” Ms. Leonard said. “While we are waiting for the older facilities to be torn down for new ones to be built, we will still put money into the older buildings to keep them in good condition until construction can begin.”
With the concerns from those living in the older dorms, Ramstein leadership has been working hard to address Airmen’s concerns, making better living conditions for the single Airmen who live on base.
“Leadership has set their eyes on making our living conditions better, and it really shows,” said Senior Airmen Joshua Muse, 435th Air Ground Operations Wing knowledge operations manager. “While there is always room for improvement, baby steps are the main priority. We need to start with safety for dormitory residents in the KMC, and then work on the more aesthetically pleasing items – floors, doors and painting.”
Airman Muse said there have already been vast improvements to the overall quality of life for Airmen.
“One of the most notable changes I have noticed is when I step into the Rheinland Inn Dining Facility; the changes there are very nice,” said Airman Muse, who has been living in the dorms for more than three years.
To help information flow, a key resource for the Airmen who live in the dorms is the KMC Installation Dormitory Council. This group helps get Airmen’s idea to senior leadership throughout the KMC.
“My job as KMC IDC president is to be the connecting piece between the Airmen and leadership,” said Airman 1st Class Jenae Brazell, 86th Mission Support Squadron personnelist. “The dorm council allows us, as Airmen, to have a voice and be heard by leadership.”
The dorm council meets once a month, and all dormitory residents are open to come and give their opinions.
“Airmen have ideas, and they just need a venue to put them into action,” Airman Brazell said. “This is the place where they can get ideas and problems they might have out there to be heard.”
Problems like Airman Muse had in his room.
“I ran into a problem with mold in my dorm a couple months ago. I was able to get it resolved fairly quickly by moving into a different dorm room,” he said. “The KMC Installation Dormitory Council was created to help out in a situation like this.”
While many Airmen might not think they are able to make a difference, they are when they speak up about what they want.
“We continue to improve new furnishes, and continue to listen to the Airmen’s ideas. We have had a great change in the last year with the KMC dormitory council, and it has allowed for direct input from Airmen to leadership,” Ms. Leonard said. “We are headed in the right direction.
For more on this story and to see photos, check out www.ramstein.af.mil.
