The DUI crowd

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Steven Wilson
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AFB, S.D. --  In 2009, Ellsworth had 37 driving under the influence cases across all ranks. What's more, the DUI statistics show this isn't an issue limited to young Airmen - officers and NCOs have been caught up in the DUI web too.

However, what some offenders may forget is it's not just "their" DUI. It's not "their" mistake or "their" issue they can muddle through and get over.

The fact is even a routine DUI, even one not involving injury, death or property damage, directly involves a crowd of more people than an octopus has arms.

Law Enforcement

The first person involved in "your" DUI is the badge wearer who stops you, whether on or off base. If law enforcement detects any indications of a driver being under the influence, they will most likely ask you to complete a series of roadside tests, commonly known as field sobriety tests.

"It's basically a set of simple coordination and balance tests," said Tech. Sgt. Christopher Malenius, 28th Security Forces unit deployment management section chief.

"Alcohol impairs motor skills so we're trained to conduct these tests to judge whether someone should be driving or not."

Assuming the person fails the field testing and possibly a portable breath testing device, he or she is taken into custody for further processing.

Assuming the police vehicle has two people in it, there are now three people, counting the offender, involved in this routine DUI.

Chemical Testing

Depending on the rules of the local jurisdiction, most likely breath or blood samples will be taken to determine the amount of alcohol in the driver's system. The limit for South Dakota, like most states, is .08, Sergeant Malenius said.

If a medical person draws blood for chemical testing, that's one more person involved in this DUI, which brings the total to five people minimum so far.

The First Sergeant

Now the offender has been processed, advised of rights, and given a preliminary suspension of driving privileges letter. This letter means the accused cannot operate a vehicle on a military installation unless granted permission by the mission support group commander. To make matters even worse, assuming the suspect was stopped after the local bars closed, security forces telephone the unit first sergeant.

On his day off.

Before the sun is even up.

The first sergeant then reports to the security forces control center and takes custody of the squadron member.

One of Ellsworth's diamond-wearers said DUI offenses have no place within the Air Force's core values.

"Drinking and driving is a selfish act and definitely does not show service before self when charged with a DUI," said Master Sgt. David Wells, 28th Munitions Squadron first sergeant.

Sergeant Wells said common sense dictates to have a plan before drinking and sticking with the plan.

"If the plan falls through or your wingman is gone there's nothing wrong with calling a supervisor, flight chief or first sergeant for help," he said. "Drinking and driving is not the answer."

The number of people involved now is up to six.

The Chief

For enlisted members, the squadron chief may be involved in what, by now the offender has probably discovered, isn't just "their" DUI. Ellsworth's senior enlisted leader said there are far better reasons to have to report to the chief's office than to explain a DUI.

"If a DUI happened in my unit when I was a squadron chief, rest assured it had my interest," said Chief Master Sgt. Clifton Cole, 28th Bomb Wing command chief. "Let's just say it was an emotional experience for both the offender and me.

"At that point, I want to look at this person's background, record, and hear what their direct supervision has to say about them. The commander gets the final decision; however, I get to offer my advice and counsel, which the commander always took into consideration. The best thing to do is to avoid this kind of poor decision making in the first place."

That's seven people involved now.

Innocent bystanders in the workplace

A DUI can impact innocent bystanders who had absolutely nothing to do with the offense.

"We had an Airman get a DUI and now it has really put a burden on his section," said Chief Master Sgt. Larry Osborne, 28th Maintenance Squadron Superintendent. "Part of his job was to drive on the flightline and he can't do that anymore. He has to walk everywhere or get a ride from co-workers."

Assuming this Airman has only one considerate friend in the world, the number is up to eight now in what was, a few hours before, a single person's "routine" DUI.

Area Defense Counsel

The Airman now will, most likely, see the local ADC and they'll make that appointment through the attorney's paralegal.

The running total of people involved now is up to ten. And this hypothetical DUI hasn't even involved injury or property damage.

But the process isn't finished.

Mental Health

For all alcohol-related incidents, an Airman must go and see mental health. At the very minimum they receive a screening and some alcohol-related education.

"A routine DUI will entail at least a commander's referral to the alcohol and drug abuse prevention and treatment (program), which involves a mental health technician and initial paperwork," said Norman Rowland, 28th Medical Operations Squadron alcohol and drug abuse counselor.

The total is increased to 11.

"Then there's a certified alcohol and drug abuse counselor for the supervisor's part of the interview and the certified ADAC interviewing the offender," he said.

The number is now an even dozen.

"Then there's finally an interview by our boss, Lt. Col. Scott Krebs (Life Skills Provider)," said Mr. Rowland.

Thirteen people are now involved in an individual's poor decision making.

Mr. Rowland said even more people from his office could potentially get involved, depending on the initial assessments and screenings.

So, for the sake of my editor screaming about space let's assume this DUI was indeed routine.

But the number isn't done at 13.

The Commander

Now, after a few weeks worth of legal process, counseling and visits with the ADC, the unit commander will most likely offer the member non-judicial punishment under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

The commander brings the total now to 14.

Family, Friends, Co-workers

After the Article 15 process, the DUI saga isn't over. The Airman now has to beg rides from friends, family or co-workers to get from place to place. This can run the total number of people involved well past the last count of 14.

If he runs into a situation where all co-workers are busy, then one might have to walk in sometimes sub-zero temperatures in the brutal South Dakota winter.

In this illustration, there were 14 people, at a minimum, involved in a routine DUI where no one was hurt and property wasn't damaged.

A DUI doesn't just affect the offender - more people are actively involved in it than what some may initially think. The final person involved, by default, is the wing commander.

The Boss

"I have asked squadron commanders to consider the most severe punishment for DUI offenses," said Col. Jeffrey Taliaferro, 28th Bomb Wing commander. "The punishments are extreme because prevention is so important.

"Call a wingman, call a supervisor, or call 385-RIDE if you find yourself in a spot where you need help. A DUI will affect your military career and your record, even in the civilian world, for the rest of your life."