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Kadena dorm residents competing for $3,000 in inspection money

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nestor Cruz
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Kadena dormitory residents recently swept, mopped, vacuumed, straightened, rearranged and tidied up for a team of "white-gloved" inspectors as part of the base's quarterly dorm competition. This was no garden-variety dorm inspection, however, because $3,000 is at stake in this highly competitive event. 

Master Sgt. Oscar Cabatic, 718th Civil Engineer Squadron unaccompanied housing superintendent, said 11 dormitories are vying for the first place prize of $2,000 and the second place prize of $1,000. The winners will be announced during the quarterly awards luncheon Jan. 23. 

"Dorm residents from the top two dorms will use their funds to purchase items such as outdoor furniture, grills, gym equipment, pool tables, ping pong tables, or foosball tables," said Sergeant Cabatic. "These items are intended to enhance living conditions in the dorms, which is what this dorm competition is all about." 

The competition began with an inspection of the dorms from a squadron commander and first sergeant. Three rooms from each dorm were selected randomly for inspection and a "showcase room" was selected by each dorm's council. Common areas, such as day rooms, laundry rooms and outdoor grounds, were also inspected. 

Sergeant Cabatic said the quarterly dorm competition is more than just a "white glove inspection." 

"The inspectors talked with residents and the dorm council members," the unaccompanied housing superintendent said. "They want to see how involved the residents are, if residents get together and do self-help projects. They want to see dorm council meeting notes and get a feel for how senior leadership from the respective squadrons gets involved." 

Dorm 630 residents hope to win the top prize and beat last quarter's top dorm - Dorm 613 sponsored by 18th Security Forces Squadron. 

"I feel really good about this quarter's inspection," said Senior Airman Darin Pugh, Dorm 630 dorm council vice president from the 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron. "Our residents have put a lot of work into improving our home. They want to be engaged, and it shows we're not in this for the bullet, but for the benefit of the entire group." 

More than 20 dorm council members, dorm residents, former residents and supervisors were present Jan. 8 for the Dorm 630 inspection. 

"The support from our leadership shows I'm not forgotten at the end of the duty day," Airman Pugh said. "It's tough being a single Airman living in the dorms, especially during holiday breaks. But our leadership always gets involved with us and shows us their concern for our welfare."