Airman wears many hats - and keeps them all tidy

by Tech. Sgt. Vernon Cunningham
JBER Public Affairs

11/6/2014 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARESON, Alaska -- When inspecting dorms on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, you may expect to come across personal collections which catch your attention.

A miniature library, a fanatical assortment of sports memorabilia, or even an impressive stock of movies might make a room more memorable - but it would also add to the clutter that makes dorm residents sweat during an inspection.

One Airman maintains a sizeable display of his dedication to video gaming ... and still earned his squadron's Dorm of the Quarter award.

"My kitchen wasn't up to par for the wing," said Senior Airman Adam Fisher, 673d Communications Squadron client systems technician. "So I didn't win that one."

Fisher's full collection of gaming gear includes 20 different console systems; most Xbox and Nintendo series, PlayStation versions, and even a variety of hand-held gaming systems.

There are also more than 700 games. Some of the collection has been sent to his home of record for storage.

Fisher is a dorm chief, and helps fellow Airmen when they get locked out of their rooms or need other assistance with their lodging.

He also maintains a good working relationship with local dorm leaders and noncommissioned officers-in-charge of the facilities, and does what he can to improve the morale of his peers.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Fisher's volunteer efforts in the dorm seem to fit a motif.

"We play a lot of video games," he said. "We do a monthly LAN party at the Wired Café on the dorm campus. It brings together a lot of different units, and raises a lot of morale for that weekend."

He also works with the Wired Café annually to sponsor a 24-hour video-gaming marathon for charity; proceeds go to the children's hospital of each participant's choice.

"He is very passionate about a lot of things," said Adam Allen, 673d CS computer technician.  "He picked up the fundraiser, which I normally run, and did great. Last year we [raised] $500,but this year we raised $1,600."

Allen said Fisher took the initiative and went off the installation to find new venues for fundraising, coordinating a similar charity event in Anchorage.

"I would have never thought to host an event at a local computer store," Allen said.

Allen said one of Fisher's best qualities is that he is willing to boldly accept new challenges.

"One of the things that really sets him apart is that he is quick to learn and pick up new things, and dive into things he doesn't really understand yet," Allen said. "He is not afraid to do things wrong."

Despite being a new Airman with no computer experience prior to technical school, Fisher used the same bull-by-the-horns approach at the Communications Focal Point position where they currently work, Allen said.

"He just dove in," he said. "Once he got enough motivation and resources available, then he got going. He still makes mistakes - everyone makes mistakes - but that doesn't discourage him."

Allen said the Comm Focal Point is a broad, generalized job which can create a lot of stress because it requires knowledge of many different specialties. But Fisher keeps learning and pushing forward, Allen said.

"The work day is how you make it," Fisher said. "If you try to have a positive attitude and put a smile on your face and have fun with people, it gets more productive."

When Fisher is not organizing morale events, setting the example for dorm-room cleanliness, or motivating and learning at work, he finds the time to actually play some of his collection of video games as a method of rest and relaxation.

"I like sports like ultimate Frisbee, bowling, tennis and racquetball...but gaming is also a good form of interaction, if you have friends who are willing to bring their systems or towers to the day room or get together somewhere just to play," Fisher said. "It definitely brings up spirits when you are making jokes with each other and having a good time, hanging out with friends."