Team Travis engages in anti-DUI campaign

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Sarah Johnson
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – When the spring and early summer months saw an uptick in driving under the influence reports at Travis Air Force Base, California, a group of Airmen combined their skills to create a campaign with one simple overarching theme: #NeverDUI.

Col. Michael Tiemann, former 60th Air Mobility Wing director of staff, led a DUI task force comprised of Airmen and civilians from a variety of squadrons across base. Together, they brainstormed and implemented several innovative ideas on how to effectively address the problem of DUIs.

“We attacked the situation with a holistic, modern approach,” said Maj. William Cargill, acting 60th AMW director of staff. “We utilized traditional marketing techniques (and) new-age technology to reach and impact the largest spectrum of Travis Department of Defense personnel. This came in the form of banners, ‘days since last DUI’ signs, marquee reminders, handouts, word of mouth and an emphasis on ‘taking care of each other.’”

To address the issue from all standpoints, the task force targeted different audiences through different means. Base leadership, including squadron commanders, chiefs and first sergeants, were encouraged to take responsibility for their subordinates through active leadership and mentorship, as well as disseminating DUI statistics and cautionary information and messages at commander’s calls.

Travis Airmen and the general public were encouraged to engage in conversations about making smart decisions, as well as protecting their peers through a social media campaign using the hashtag #NeverDUI.

The campaign focused heavily on Memorial Day weekend and other weekends when drinking and driving was more probable. On the Friday before Memorial Day, volunteers handed each individual who drove on base a flyer reminding him or her to drive safely. As cars exited the base that afternoon, they drove past base leadership holding signs encouraging individuals to be smart, utilize their resources and choose not to get behind the wheel after drinking.

The campaign efforts showcased the base’s concern for Airmen.

“We recognized an uptick in DUI's following last year's record low,” said Cargill. “Looking back on historical data, we are not at alarming numbers. But even one DUI is too many… in striving for excellence, we want to keep our Airmen educated and continue to have the resources to move the mission.”

The campaign also heavily promoted an organization called Airmen Against Drunk Driving. The purpose of AADD is to provide safe, reliable rides to Airmen of all ranks, dependents, DoD employees and contractors.

In 2017, AADD provided 66 rides and its 352 volunteers have worked 1,809 hours. In past years, the organization provided more than 900 rides per year and volunteers worked more than 4,000 hours.

“AADD is an Airman's contingency plan for the night out,” said Airman 1st Class Gabriel Castillo Medina, 60th Civil Engineer Squadron and an AADD representative in the task force. “Plans fall apart sometimes and AADD is here to help. Drinking and driving is not an option.”

Through the task force, AADD expanded its availability to Airmen through creating a text number, where Airmen can send a message and request a ride. AADD also has a number for Airmen to call.

“It's a backup in case plans fall through, so (Airmen) can have a way to make it home safely,” said Senior Airman Adam Stainiger, 60th Diagnostics and Therapeutics Squadron. “Once (Airmen) drive home drunk once, they can become complacent and it can then become a habit. Eventually they will get pulled over for something small like a tail light being out and there goes everything they have worked for.”

The volunteers of AADD and the task force are passionate about educating and protecting Airmen from the life-altering effects of drinking and driving.

“I have strong support for this program because I don't like when one small choice can have such a huge consequence in someone's life,” said Stainiger. “Even if I help prevent just one person from having to go through that in their life, it makes it worth all the hours put in.”

“Each time someone calls and is helped out by AADD, we call that a ‘save’,” said Cargill. “We keep track of how many ‘saves’ our AADD team makes. This is important because we cannot afford to lose anyone. Every Airman is immensely valuable to the Air Force mission. Aside from the mission aspect, every Airman is someone's son, daughter, mother, father, neighbor, teammate or wingman. We are all human, we all make mistakes, plans fall apart, but our AADD team is always there as a safety net to get everyone home safe.”

AADD is a free service. It is run by volunteers and is available between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. To request a ride, call (707) 424-2233 or text (707) 389-6602.