Meet the new dorm superintendent

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Tori Schultz
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE Fla. --  "I am willing to lead Airmen in the right direction, even if it does not pertain to my job; I just want to provide mentorship," said Master Sgt. Patrick McSweeney, 6th Civil Engineer Squadron superintendent of unaccompanied housing. "I would like for Airmen to come see me and voice any concerns they may have."

McSweeney enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 2001 as a Security Forces Squadron member and learned many aspects of the job, but he soon realized that he wanted more. Eventually, he decided to venture out and see what else the U.S. Air Force had to offer him. On November 30, 2013, McSweeney became a new Airmen dorm leader at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.

"I really wanted to be involved in the bigger Air Force picture and broaden my career," said McSweeney. "When I was a flight sergeant I dealt with Airmen, but now, not so much for guidance on a specific job, just helping Airmen be Airmen."

As a facility manager, he assists with dorm issues, but is able to achieve his goal of helping Airmen overall. After removing the SFS badge, Airmen tend to open up to him more, which allows him to be a better mentor.

McSweeney did not want to just be a facility manager, but be an ADL and work with dorm council members. To encourage Airmen to take the reins and come up with new ideas for dorm residents, he gave the council an office next to the Cyber Café in building 375.]

"I like working with Airmen and seeing them take responsibility for certain things," said McSweeney. "I would love to see Airmen take ownership of the dorms because, in actuality, it's their home away from home."