CAFB leaders host Dormsgiving for junior enlisted Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Keith Holcomb
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  An annual event known as ‘Dormsgiving,’ held Nov. 14 this year in the Montgomery Village, is a time for junior enlisted Airmen to enjoy a meal with leadership across Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi.

Leadership and their families cook for the Airmen in a potluck fashion meal, and typically have numerous traditional Thanksgiving foods ready by the end of the work day. Airmen from the rank of airman basic to senior airman prepare themselves a plate and sit down next to their friends and leaders to enjoy a home away from home.

“I think the Air Force is our family,” said Claudia Denham, 14th Flying Training Wing vice commander’s spouse. “When we can’t be home with our family, the Air Force is the best we have after that.”

Denham said her and her military family’s experiences have been nothing but great, stating the military’s high caliber members are always there for each other and that is what is so special to her about the holidays with each base’s different friends.

Those are the reasons her and Col. William Denham, 14th Flying Training Wing vice commander, give back to the Airmen in the ways they can. Dormsgiving is one of the events where commanders and Airmen sit together and connect personally, bringing a sense of comradery from the lowest ranks to the highest.

“This kind of event provides Airmen a sense of community,” said Master Sgt. Tisha Everett, Airman dormitory leader. “It’s important for leadership to get that face time and let them know they are valued, important to us, important to the mission and we appreciate everything that they do.”

Outside of showing their appreciation, it’s a good time to connect to Airmen personally as well.

“It’s our job to mentor the Airmen and getting the feedback from them is important to me,” Everett said. “We also like the Airmen to know we are there for them for any reason, if it’s personal, if its work, if its mentorship or if its advice. I think it’s important to get to see that, not just as a Senior NCO, but on a personal level too.”