New Ellsworth under-aged drinking policy bares teeth

  • Published
  • By By Tech. Sgt. Shanda L. De Anda
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  An Ellsworth Airman's poor choice made him one of the first to endure the new base policy regarding under-aged drinking Feb. 17. 

The new policy, which went into effect Feb. 7, takes a more aggressive stance against people under the age of 21 who choose to drink illegally. As written, anyone caught drinking underage, anywhere (not just driving) will lose on-base driving privileges for at least four months. Military members will also be required to successfully complete the appropriate Air Force Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment program. 

"The wing has gone through quite a bit of education through the [Community of Responsible Choices program, which is designed to highlight alternatives to drinking for Airmen] and every commander is obviously taking the situation very serious, but we can't be everywhere all the time," said Maj. Eric Bruce, 28th Security Forces Squadron commander. 

"It's about integrity - people are choosing to do something they know is wrong, and they need to realize they will be penalized." 

The policy specifically targets a chronic issue at Ellsworth with the intention of reversing a negative trend. 

"We know deterrence through increased penalties is the best way to reduce underage drinking; we have a lot of underage drinking incidents a year and something needed to be done to get them under control," said Chief Master Sgt. John Gillette, 28th Bomb Wing command chief master sergeant. "Young men love their cars, and we know that most of our underage drinkers are young men - I believe the threat of losing their ability to drive on base for four months will have the desired outcome." 

In addition to the loss of driving privileges, which will force culprits to go face-to-face with the South Dakota elements from excessive winds to extreme temperature variations, offenders will also have to complete an appropriate ADAPT program. 

The ADAPT office will not experience a significant change in their office operations tempo because, based on the Air Force Instruction that dictates their operations (AFI 44-121), they are involved in all alcohol- or drug-related incidences. However, staff at the ADAPT office encourages Airmen to look out for one another; being caught may not be the first sign that there is an underlying problem. 

"As wingmen, we are all responsible for reporting behaviors that are illegal or potentially dangerous for an individual," said Master Sgt. Laura Zinsmeyer, 28th Medical Operations Squadron Medical Services Flight NCO in charge and certified alcohol and drug abuse counselor since 1998. "Under-age drinking is a crime - if there are concerns that someone may have a drinking problem, there is an obligation to report it. 

"We owe it to our people to ensure that they are taken care of and receive the appropriate education and treatment," Sergeant Zinsmeyer said. "If we fail to report it, it could result in serious consequences to the drinker and their friends, family and co-workers - it could be detrimental to the mission." 

The Airman in this case registered a .170 breath alcohol content during the field sobriety test and was not mission ready at a moment's notice, which leaves the burden on his co-workers. If his unit was called on to meet an immediate mission-critical need, their readiness may suffer. 

"[Under-aged drinking] has been illegal for over 20 years; [those who participate in this activity] show a complete lack of integrity and their actions have a negative impact on units' readiness, manning and morale," said Master Sgt. Paul Brown, 28th SFS first sergeant. 

There are two ways to enforce laws according to Ellsworth leadership - increase the likelihood of getting caught or increase the severity of penalties. 

"For either case, people are more afraid to get caught - this policy increases the penalty and serves as deterrence," Major Bruce said. "We are trying to help people make the right decision."