Poor choices equate to unintended consequences

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Marty Anderson
  • 90th Missile Wing command chief
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  I am saddened to say, last week we had an underage Airman who was caught driving under the influence at 3:30 a.m. June 17. There should be a lot of questions that came up; e.g., who provided the alcohol and who failed to step up and stop this.

What is equally disappointing, because of all the hard work while accomplishing the day-to-day mission and being DUI free, is that Col. Greg Tims, 90th Missile Wing commander, agreed if we got through the July 4 weekend without a DUI and do well in the exercise this week, we would have had a Squadron Day. Squadron Day is a day squadrons plan and execute unit activities as they see fit -- the date was set for July 9.

Even though this is our 11th DUI, we went 59 days with April 17 being the last DUI. I attribute the 59 days to each of your efforts. All ranks publicly stating this is unacceptable and the consequences need to be harsh. The message was coming from you, and I believe this had a strong positive impact.

I don't believe signs and paper articles provide the significant emotional impact to a culture a peer or supervisor has when looking someone in the eye and stating, "If you have one drink you better not drive, period. If you need a ride you better call me versus getting behind the wheel."

Equally important is supervisors publicly stating, "If you drink and drive, I will recommend to the commander you receive the harshest punishment -- the loss of a stripe."
Our motivation for being aggressive is because we don't want to see someone hurt or killed because of stupidity and a lack of discipline.

Even though this is frustrating, because it is just not that hard, it is important that each of you not give up. Your message is making a difference. I was very proud of the Airmen and NCOs who had the courage to stand up in front of their peers during wingman day and publicly state this is unacceptable.

I was asked a question during the Senior NCO Professional Development Seminar regarding individual actions affecting the masses. I answered, "You never know who is going to be next."

But, in reflecting a little more -- in a military organization, as we all learned in basic training marching drills, just one person out of step can reflect negatively on the entire group. This concept proves true in this situation as well. If an intoxicated Airman kills someone, what do you suppose impact to the wing and community would be?

In leadership, your credibility is established by the very people you are responsible for.

I appreciate everyone's personal involvement in continuing to make a difference and working towards the goal of being DUI free through August 17.