Drinking and driving isn’t worth it

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Mike Tryon
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F. E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, WYO. --  Throughout the years, Air Force leadership has focused their attention on preventing driving-under-the-influence incidents. And, here at Air Force Global Strike Command's F. E. Warren, it's no different.

As of right now, this wing has 20 DUIs on record for 2010, said Tech. Sgt. Michelle Brandel, 90th Missile Wing NCO-in-charge of military justice. This figure is on average with the number of DUIs over the past several years.

Since the beginning of December, there have been two DUIs, which is completely unacceptable for this wing, said Chief Master Sgt. Marty Anderson, 90th MW command chief.

"Even if we went the whole year with only one DUI," said the chief, "that is still one too many."

"We expect every member of the 90th Missile Wing to be professional at all times, whether on- or off-duty," said Col. Scott Fox, 90th MW vice commander. Choosing to drink and drive does not meet that expectation.

"Choosing to break the law and drive while intoxicated also puts people, including innocent bystanders, unnecessarily at risk," Colonel Fox added. "Can you imagine killing someone because of a selfish personal choice? I can't."

The current wing DUI prevention program is the "Arrive Alive" program Chief Anderson said. That program has a red key associated with it, which is to act as a reminder to Airmen to make the right decision.

While the concepts of those programs are sound, the execution lies on every member of this base to actually work, said Tony Fontes, 90th Medical Operations Squadron.

Chief Anderson continues to drive this concern, time and time again, "If you drink even one drink, then don't drive, period. The consequences are not worth tempting the 'I'm-okay-to-drive theory.'"

"There isn't a single person who wants the fact that they've [potentially] killed someone weighing on their conscience," Colonel Fox said.

Security forces members, as well as their civilian counterparts, are trained in detecting drivers who are possibly under the influence.

"Swerving, crossing the lane lines more than three times, extremely wide turns, driving too fast or slow or any other driving infraction can give our SF members probable cause to pull you over and conduct a field sobriety test," said Tech. Sgt. Tim DeWitt, 90th Security Forces Support Squadron. "If the gate guards smell alcohol, they can initiate a field sobriety test as well.

Personnel driving on- or off-base who suspect they might be following a drunk driver can call the base law enforcement desk, 773-3501, or local law enforcement, 911, to report suspicious driving, Sergeant DeWitt added. The only thing required to give to the police is a license plate number.

The consequences for DUI offenses depend on who has jurisdiction, Sergeant Brandel said. If jurisdiction lies with off-base authorities, the member's commander has fewer actions he can take in addition to action taken by the civilian authorities. There are various options still available to the commander though. For example, a commander may administratively demote the member for their inability to perform their professional responsibilities associated to their rank, as well as the commander being able to serve a letter of reprimand.

If military authorities have jurisdiction for the DUI offense, she added, the commander has more options available to him. Most frequently commanders have chosen to impose non-judicial punishment, which varies on both the commander's and member's rank.

Some examples of non-judicial punishment that could be imposed are forfeitures up to one-half month's pay per month for two months, 60 days restriction, 45 days extra duty, a reprimand and reduction of rank, Sergeant Brandel said.

Another potential consequence for both on- and off-base DUI offenses is the loss of on-base driving privileges for at least a year.

"The best way you can avoid a DUI incident is to not drink and drive period," said Master Sgt. Lee Schmidt, 90th Missile Maintenance Squadron first sergeant. "If you're going out and drinking, have a plan, a back-up plan and then a back-up to the back-up plan.

"As wingmen, it's everyone's responsibility to take care of each other," Sergeant Schmidt added. A solid, primary plan would be to have a designated driver come out as well, and ensure that driver isn't drinking at all. The back-up for that could be calling a first sergeant, chief, commander, or squadron designated driver. If all of those options fail, the final resort should be the Arrive Alive program."