Drinking and driving don't mix

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Allison Boehm
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Senior Airman Smith just received his line number to sew on staff sergeant. Excited about his promotion news, he decided to go to a local bar with his friends to celebrate. A few drinks and a few hours later, his plans for a ride home fell through. His harmless celebration left him intoxicated.

Instead of pursuing other safe ways to get home, Airman Smith decided to get behind the wheel of his own vehicle.

He only made it a couple miles down the road, when he saw flashing lights behind him. He was being pulled over. Airman Smith was given a breathalyzer test and blew over the legal limit. Before he realized what was happening, he was cuffed and placed in the back of the police car. He was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.

Now, he is no longer eligible for promotion, lost a stripe and his Air Force career is in question.

In 2010, Barksdale had 21 Airmen charged with DUIs. To wing leadership, even one DUI is too many.

The disciplinary consequences after receiving a DUI charge can range from administrative action, non-judicial punishment or courts-martial, depending on the offense and where it takes place.

Regardless of whether the DUI happens on-base or off-base, severe consequences will be applied.

For off-base DUIs where the Air Force is unable to obtain jurisdiction from civilian authorities, the disciplinary response is generally limited by Air Force policy to administrative action such as a letter of reprimand and loss of on-base driving privileges. Although the military response is limited, civilian penalties are severe and can include confinement, significant fines and court costs and the loss of off-base driving privileges.

For on-base DUIs and off-base DUIs where the Air Force obtains jurisdiction from civilian authorities, the typical disciplinary response is non-judicial punishment; although, there have been a couple of recent courts-martial cases involving DUIs where the member was sentenced to jail time. Non-judicial punishment actions for enlisted members can result in a loss of rank, forfeiture of one-half months pay for two months, extra duties, correctional custody and restriction to base. Officer cases typically result in the loss of significant pay, restrictions and a punitive reprimand.

"Regardless of whether the DUI is punished by the chain of command, there are other administrative consequences that can significantly impact a member's career," said Lt. Col. Steven Dubriske, 2nd Bomb Wing Legal Office Staff Judge Advocate. "A DUI will generally result in a referral Enlisted Performance Report/Officer performance Report, which will remain in the member's record for his/her entire career. A DUI can also generate a control roster, limiting a member's promotion eligibility, formal training, and permanent change-of-station opportunities. A DUI will generally result in the termination of any pending promotion the member may have earned."

Due to one night of poor decision making, Airman Smith now awaits prosecution and faces possible jail time and being dropped from his insurance policy.

According to Master Sgt. Sidney Pitcher, 2nd Security Forces Squadron police services NCO-in-charge, in situations like this, the individual is 100 percent at fault.

"His insurance will pay for all of the damage if he is not dropped from his policy, and his premiums are going to be outrageous," he said. "You can't afford a DUI."

Airmen need to use other ways to get a safe ride home when plans fall through.

Sergeant Pitchers said a good wingman will never deny someone who is intoxicated a ride home. However, if all else fails, Airmen Against Drunk Driving can be used as a last resort.

The primary purpose of AADD is to provide the Department of Defense identification card holders with a safe and free ride home instead of driving their own vehicles while intoxicated.

AADD volunteers remind Airmen they should first have a designated driver, and then use the Wingman Policy or their chain of command. If these plans fall through, AADD offers a safe, free ride home.

Airmen should not be afraid to call because of possible repercussion, as AADD is anonymous.

AADD can be reached at 456-0013 from 11:30 p.m. to 4 a.m., Fridays and Saturdays.