LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
John Doe had gone to a party one night with some friends and decided to return to base to drop off a friend at the dorms. He only had a few drinks, so he trusted himself to take the wheel.
Fifteen minutes later, security forces charged him with driving under the influence.
"I was given a DUI last year," said John, an Airman stationed at Langley Air Force Base, Va. "I lost two stripes and received an Article 15."
Alcohol abuse stands as one of the most negative stereotypes for Service members worldwide.
Unfortunately, many Service members reinforce this image through reckless acts such as driving under the influence. With St. Patrick's Day this weekend, Team Langley doesn't want stories like John's to be commonplace.
In John's case, he had already parked to check on his friend. Once out of the car, security forces Airmen asked him if he had been driving.
"They gave me the breathalyzer test," said John. "I blew over the limit, and the next thing I knew I was speaking with the Area Defense Counsel."
John's commander enacted his sentence, and although his leadership believed he was a good Airman, it didn't seem to matter when it came to his DUI.
"I had a lot of recommendations from my old base; my co-workers know I am a hard worker," said John. "It goes to show it doesn't matter who you are; one bad night can do a lot of damage."
John's story has a lot in common with other Service members who drink and drive.
"It is always the Airmen who don't think ahead," said Master Sgt. Kenry Peart, 633rd Wing Staff Agencies First Sergeant. "If you plan to go out, always have more than one way to get back home."
Peart said Airmen have the option to call a direct supervisor, their first sergeant, a spouse or one of the agencies on and off-base, such as a taxi or Airmen Against Drunk Driving.
"Here is the bottom line; there is no excuse for drinking and driving," said Peart. "Airmen have too many tools at their disposal to prevent them getting behind the wheel while intoxicated."
Airmen who do receive a DUI charge can expect a number of consequences from both their commander and security forces.
Commanders and security forces have a number of penal actions to consider when an Airman is charged with a DUI. They can strip rank, refer the member to Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment, reduce pay and restrict on-base driving privileges. Commanders have a number of alternative punishments that can range in severity from additional duty to discharge from the Air Force.
Offenders may also experience a wounded wallet. Depending on the location of the DUI, charges could include towing fees, jail fees, increased insurance premiums, an ignition interlock device and more. If members continue a trend once they leave the service, they should factor in lawyer fees and court costs as well.
Eight DUIs have been reported since January 1st at Langley. Peart and John both hope that number doesn't increase.
"Remember the wingman concept," said Peart. "It might just save your career."