23d WG commander issues DUI message

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jarrod Grammel
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga., --  The number of Airmen caught driving while under the influence is up this year from last, and the 23d Wing commander wants every Airman to know how serious DUIs are.

As of April, Team Moody has 15 total DUIs, putting the base on track to exceed the 27 DUIs for all of 2012.

"The way I view DUIs and the way I think the wing has to attack them is, first and foremost, recognizing it's a personal responsibility not to drink and drive," said U.S. Air Force Col. Billy Thompson, 23d WG commander. "They have to know it's a willful choice they're making. It's a criminal act and they will be treated like criminals if they're caught. That's the bottom line."

Thompson added that DUIs affect Airmen, families, their unit and the whole wing.

"Our first core value is integrity first, and if I can't trust you not to drink and drive, I'm going to have a hard time trusting you to do your job," he said. " ... Communication is always going to be key. We need to make sure that everybody understands this isn't a mistake.

"It's a crime, and there's a difference," Thompson added. "We make mistakes every day, and that's OK. We learn from them and we'll move on. Drinking and driving is a crime, and we are going to treat it like one."

Lt. Col. Michael Taylor, 23d WG staff judge advocate, said the punishments and procedures depend on whether the DUI happens on or off base.

"When our office gets notified of an on-base DUI, my staff will begin working immediately with the squadron commander and first sergeant to decide what disciplinary action the commander wants to take," he said. "Typically, it's an Article 15 punishment. I would call that the norm, but it's not the only option. Then we'll work on the paperwork and advise just like we do for anything else."

He said the goal is to get the Article 15 finished in 10 days. For off-base DUIs, Taylor said civilian authorities usually keep jurisdiction, but Airmen typically still receive punishments such as a Letter of Reprimand, control roster or administrative demotions. On-base DUIs often result in an unfavorable information file, rank reduction, forfeitures of pay, restriction to base or a control roster.

"I talk to local law enforcement agencies around here, and I'm very clear with them that I want them to catch every Airman who drinks and drives," said Thompson. "I want them off the streets because it's about hurting themselves or others.

In addition to drinking and driving, commanders also want Airmen to be aware of off-limits establishments, which are identified as having known safety issues.

The off-limits establishments for Moody Airmen are Vegas Nightclub, Club 229 and Milltown Groove. The Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board (AFDCB) establishes a process for the wing commander to create a board of senior officers to discuss locations of concern.

"Off-limits establishments are there because it's a safety concern," said Thompson. "We don't put places on the list because it's where all the fun is happening and we don't want our Airmen to have fun.

"We are not trying to legislate morality or anything," he added. "We want Airmen to have a good time in their off-duty hours, but we want them to be safe."

Businesses can appear on the list for things like a known record of drug abuse or sales, or increased felonies and assaults. Taylor stressed the seriousness of visiting these locations with typical punishments being an Article 15 to a court martial.

"This is an order from the commander, a lawful, valid order, and it would be in violation of Article 92 to go to a place you were prohibited from going," said Taylor. "The establishments that have been identified by the AFDCB are ones where Airman's safety and wellbeing are at risk. That's why this process exists: to protect Airmen."

Thompson said the best way to prevent Airmen from getting DUIs and going to off-limits establishments is for Airmen to look out for their wingmen.

"The thing I think is going to help more than anything else is going to be Airmen watching out for Airmen," he said. "It's also going to be talking about it and just making sure people are aware that if you make the choice to drink and drive you will be held accountable."

Thompson stressed that DUI and off-limits establishment's offenders are the absolute minority. He said the majority are outstanding Airmen who take care of themselves and their wingmen.

"We cannot afford to drink and drive because it's only a matter of time before you hurt yourself or others," the commander said. "And that in turn damages the combat capability of this wing."