Dont be a statistic: Team Moody members have many alternatives to drinking, driving

  • Published
  • By Kara Ramos
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  With an increasing number of Moody Airmen being charged with driving under the influence, Moody officials are urging Airmen to exercise better judgment and make use of available support programs to eliminate the rapidly growing arrest rate.

Moody has recorded 18 off base DUIs since January 2007, an average of one DUI every 11 days, said Les Williams, 23rd Security Forces Squadron. In comparison, Moody recorded a total of 18 DUIs for all of 2006.

The increase in DUIs shows some Airmen are making bad choices by not using programs and assistance being offered to them through the Air Force, said Mr. Williams. 

"While this is an issue everyone on base should be concerned about, this year we've only had two NCOs with DUIs and all the others have been Airmen," said Mr. Williams, who tracks DUIs from past to present occurrences. "Airmen aren't making good choices or using the options available to them. Supervisors must stay involved with their Airmen to let them know the available options that could help cut down the amount of DUIs."

The affects of a DUI offense are substantial. Along with affecting a member's Air Force career, Under Georgia law DUI offenders face jail time and fines of $827 to $3,426, according to the Valdosta Police Department. In addition, offenders may endure lawyer fees, possible suspension of their license and could be required to complete community service, treatment programs and a driving school.

With the high number of arrests, Chief Master Sgt. Stephen White, 23rd SFS security forces manager, feels Moody has a big problem to deal with.

"With ongoing increases in deployments and what our Airmen are seeing while deployed, my personal opinion is the increase is due to everything these kids are going through," he said.

"Some Airmen might want to have one big last hurrah by drinking prior to a deployment, and they stop thinking like they should be," the chief added. "But, with the programs Moody has, it is still unacceptable."

Moody enforces the "Wingman" program to show military members one must look to their right and left for assistance and support from everyone. Ann Lukens, Airmen and Family Readiness Flight chief, is hopeful people are using the Wingman program, but is concerned many are not.

"I suspect they're not using the Wingman program; how can 18 people, that we know of, drink and drive and get arrested?" she said. "Wasn't there someone with them? For the most part, they weren't out there on their own.

"A wingman should be anyone who wears the uniform," Mrs. Lukens added. "If we see somebody in trouble, and believe me someone who is drinking and driving is definitely in trouble, we need to intervene."

One program Mrs. Lukens knows people are using is "25-SOBER"which has been available for the past 10 years for intoxicated people to receive free transportation to avoid drinking and driving. With all of the support and programs being offered, Mrs. Lukens believes people are aware of the programs and support, but may not be using it.
"We have regular publicity in the Volunteer for the Sober Ride program," said Mrs. Lukens. "We've had it there ever since the program was initiated. There are business cards and posters in places around the base that have the number for sober ride and a reminder to call.

"Again, being aware of it and choosing to use it are two different things," she added. "Unfortunately, it comes down to a person's judgment of being responsible for his or her own decisions."

While Moody offers programs to keep military members from driving under the influence, Chief White, along with others, also go one step further.

"My guys know they can call the law enforcement desk and they'll patch them through to me. I'd rather come get someone at 2 a.m. than have you go see Col. Kenn Todorov, the 23rd Wing Commander, on Monday morning," he said. "All the other commanders, chiefs and first sergeants are saying the same, 'Just call me, no repercussions and we'll come down and get you.'"

Mrs. Lukens feels Moody has educated people about the consequences of drinking and driving; however, once people begin consuming alcohol they can immediately lose their judgment.

"They are already impaired, but in their estimation they can drive," she said. "But drunk driving is a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice; it's against a civil law and a higher law."

Another way Moody is combating the drinking and driving problem is with the new Culture of Responsible Choices program, which deals with the self-defeating behaviors that hinder the Air Force mission.

"If people aren't available to be deployed or to do their job because they're in jail or treatment programs, it comes down to the bottom line that these people aren't ready to do their job," said Mrs. Lukens.