Airlifter of the Week finds purpose in giving back

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kristof J. Rixmann
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Corey Musial, 86th Civil Engineering Squadron airman dorm leader, received the honor of being named Ramstein’s Airlifter of the Week, Feb. 21, 2020.

“Seven years ago, I enlisted into the U.S. Air Force to be a part of something bigger than myself,” said Musial.

As an ADL, Musial found his calling by helping junior Airmen.

“I remember there was an Airman working in bay orderly who was dealing with some administrative paperwork,” said Musial. “After working with him for a few days I could tell he was a great Airman. He was just troubled by the paperwork he received.”

The Airman brought him the paperwork seeking advice. After reading through it, Musial noticed he received two pieces of paperwork for the same infraction just one day apart.

“Normally this would indicate the Airman is having troubles at home or work, but my gut was telling me it was a little unjust,” said Musial. “No one had ever told him about the Airman Defense Council so I directed him that way. After coming back from his appointment I could tell a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He reported back to me and thanked me for providing him with this resource.”

Musial said even if a problem might seem small, or easy-to-fix, helping out Airmen and seeing the relief wash over their face keeps him motivated day in and day out.


In addition to helping Airmen individually, whether that’s unclogging a drain or restoring electricity for a dorm resident, Musial is also working to help Airmen on a larger, more strategic level.

Musial manages 67 temporary overflow rooms used by Airmen when dorm occupancy remains at peak levels. These overflow rooms, provide newly arrived dorm residents temporary quarters until their permanent rooms become available.

“I love being able to communicate and mentor newly assigned Airmen,” said Musial. There’s challenges everyday within my area of work but remaining mindful of others, maintaining a positive attitude and helping the Airmen helps keep me going.”


Musial is also heading two key projects aimed at improving the quality of life for Ramstein Airmen.

First, he is leading an effort to get ADL’s embedded into the dorm campus through an integrated non-secure internet protocol router connection in ADL offices. Once established, this NIPR connection will ensure key mentorship is available for the dorm residents as well as allowing more direct oversight for their quality of life.

Lastly, Musial is revising the “Ditching the Dorms” program and overseeing the transition to an all-digital process in an effort to smoothly transition Ramstein Airmen who are approved to move off-base.

“We’re trying to make things more convenient for Airmen living in the dorms and both of these projects aim to do that,” said Musial. “With a NIPR connection in each ADL office in every dorm building, we can decentralize the Dorm Reception Center and encourage a more convenient open-door policy for our Airmen.”

Musial’s focused efforts to help Airmen is why he’s recognized as Ramstein’s Airlifter of the Week.