Rows of chairs filled the barracks multi-purpose room, some chairs cushioned with faded red cloth browned through years of misuse alongside chairs made of metal with unstable legs like the kind that have seen one too many times as props in a professional wrestling match. The room's 30-inch television was cracked in the bottom right corner and several buttons remained pushed in a testament to its lack of use. A billiards table sat in the middle of the room with the edges duct-taped together and the sound of dripping water could be heard from a leaky vacuum hose that carried drainage from the kitchen sink to the building's plumbing.
This was the state of the 35th Air Defense Artillery Headquarters and Headquarters Battery Soldier's dayroom, until its leadership decided it was time for change.
"It was Monday morning formation, I called my platoon sergeants up and told them to give me six Soldiers," said 1st Sgt. Albert Fletcher, HHB first sergeant. "They thought we were going on a run, but instead we ran straight to the barracks."
Fletcher walked through the barracks with his Soldiers and told them to make a list of things that could be done to improve their living space; things that would make living away from home better.
"It didn't take them very long to come up with the list," said Fletcher. "There were things on there that were very practical like having an operational kitchen and then there were things that I knew my own kids would want like a micro-suede recliner, an Xbox and a Keurig coffee machine."
Fletcher and the HHB commander, Capt. Jack Myers, sat down and created a plan of action for improving their Soldiers' quality of life.
"It's about creating the right kind of environment for our Soldiers," said Myers. "We want our troops to have a place to come home to after the duty day that is inviting, relaxing and safe."
Fletcher contacted Osan Air Base's 51st Civil Engineering Squadron and coordinated to replace the current furniture with items that he personally chose from their warehouse. Then he coordinated to have wireless internet installed free of charge for the Soldiers residing in the building.
But that wasn't enough for the HHB command team, Myers donated a Keurig coffee machine and Fletcher donated an Xbox 360 system.
"I just wanted to make sure the Soldiers could have a place to enjoy and take pride in," said Fletcher.
The final upgrade came from Morale, Welfare and Recreation funds, which allowed the unit to replace the dayroom television with a new one that is more than double its size.
"Honestly, the day room just wasn't somewhere I would choose to hang out," said Spc. Tim Mackie, a nodal systems operator with HHB. "Just the thought of going in there made me feel grimy like I needed a shower."
"The new day room is a really inviting space," he said. "I go in there all the time to hang out and play games. Heck, I've even taken a nap in there!"
The barracks day room overhaul got the attention of the garrison command.
Air Force Col. Carl Misner, 51st Mission Support Group commander, said he visited the barracks after hearing about the upgrades from his colleagues.
"I'm impressed," he said. "We have a critical mission while serving in the Republic of Korea and we want service members to perform their best. What better way to motivate them than by improving their living conditions."
The upgrades to the 35th ADA barracks day room were appreciated by everyone.
Instead of noise from leaky sinks and creaky chairs, the day room is filled with sounds of laughter and video games. Instead of the odor from old chair cushions the aroma of meals being prepared and a fresh cup of coffee now fill the air in the barracks. Instead of a Soldier sitting in solitude inside their room, Soldiers now gather to share their new living space.
"It isn't quite home, but it's the next best thing," said Mackie.
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