MUNS sets bar high in fight against DUI

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Eric J. Bolt
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AFB, S.D. --  It's no secret that driving under the influence incidents at Ellsworth have been a problem for many years, but the 28th Munitions Squadron is doing their part to change that negative history. As of Sept 14, the 28th MUNS has gone 400 days without a single DUI. 

That success, according to Lt. Col. DeeDee Richards, 28th MUNS commander, is due to the squadron's ability to come up with a system that works; one based on camaraderie and looking out for co-workers. 

The 28th MUNS S program opens the lines of communication from the lowest ranking airman to the squadron commander. It stems from each person taking it upon themselves to do the right thing when no one is looking. 

"It's not just one or two people looking out for each other, it's the group as a whole," said Senior Airman Jacob Pennel, 28th MUNS armament support crew member. "It's not just the people you go out with that night; the other people in the shop are there for you to. From officers-in-charge to the lowest ranking airman, they are all there to call on when all else fails." 

MUNS' approach to fighting DUIs is simple -- watch out for the people around you, said Airman Pennel. If you go out together make sure you leave together. 

The MUNS philosophy is that any good plan always has a plan "B" just in case something falls through the cracks. 

The members of the squadron carry a small copy of the recall roster with them in case of emergency. If a plan falls through, they know there is someone else to call and they have that persons number with them, and they know there will be no reprisal for doing the right thing. 

The Air Force has lost numerous Airmen to DUI-related incidents over the last few years. MUNS is doing its best to set the example and not become another statistic.