Congressional team evaluates USAFE living quarters

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Scott Wagers
  • Defense Media Activity - Europe
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany --  As part of a DOD-wide probe to evaluate how military services are utilizing funding for maintenance and upkeep of facilities, a two-person House Appropriations Committee Studies and Investigations team spoke to Airmen and inspected dormitories Oct. 16 on Ramstein Air Base and Kapaun Air Station.

Lt. Col. Bobbie Moore, 435th Civil Engineering Squadron commander, who is responsible for unaccompanied personnel housing and oversight of base facilities, said the inspection team was also here "to really take a good look at how we are taking care of our unaccompanied personnel across the services."

Colonel Moore further said there's been "a lot of interest" in the condition of dormitories since video footage, released earlier in the year, revealed substandard living conditions in Army barracks at Ft. Bragg, N.C.

After visiting U.S. Army Europe installations at Heidelberg, Mannheim and Rhein Ordnance Barracks, the inspection team vectored to Ramstein where a six-hour tour led them through five different dormitories and gave them face time with everyone from Wing and MAJCOM leaders, to a 25-member executive dormitory council.

Airman 1st Class Amber Grantham, 435th Medical Group dorm council president, took part in the inspection team's 90-minute question and answer session. Airman Grantham said a list of dorm residents' "concerns" was assembled in advance and the top three issues were presented to the investigation team.

"Our top concerns are security, utilities and plumbing, and quality of life," Airman Grantham said.

Many of the Airmen also cited the installation of security cameras as a solution to curbing vandalism, theft and possible assault. They also shared acknowledgement that the older dormitories experience more frequent utility and plumbing problems to which the repair process seems slow.

"We want to live in a place that looks and feels more like a home ... a place that we're proud to bring our parents to," said Airman 1st Class Angeline Deocales-Pearce from 435th Logistics Readiness Squadron, who spoke about quality of life concerns.

Some Airmen suggested a more modern floor plan, or the addition of creature comforts like wireless Internet access. Other Airmen cited the need for dorm residents to actively network and organize community activities to create a homier feel.

"We know we have it good. We're not just complaining and acting like spoiled brats," said Airman Deocales-Pearce. "Change right now comes from us and we hope our suggestions benefit future Airmen."

Leadership provided the investigation team with a profile on base infrastructure that detailed the various ages of each dormitory and chronicled any associated fiscal spending, according to Colonel Moore. Most Ramstein dorms were built in the 1950s and only six have been built since the 1980s. The newest dorm, building 2486, was built in 2005.

Base leaders also outlined an eight-phase $273 million military construction plan to replace eight dorms on Ramstein and one dorm on Kapaun. The first construction project begins in Spring 2009 with building 2412, and will feature shared underground parking and an upgraded campus area, said Colonel Moore.

"We're building better facilities with more of an improved 'Airman's mall' or an improved campus feel," said the colonel. "We're trying to provide those touches of home that our Airmen are looking for."