DUIs can railroad a career

  • Published
  • By Capt. Ian McCrea
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Staff Judge Advocate
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Underage drinking and driving while intoxicated is not a "speed bump" in the career of a young Airman, it is the brick wall that may end a career.

One servicemember recently learned the consequences of underage drinking and driving while intoxicated.

On Aug. 15, an Airman from the 60th Aerial Port Squadron was tried and convicted by summary court marital for driving while intoxicated, dereliction of duty for consuming alcohol under the age of 21 and reckless operation.

The Airman was sentenced to reduction to airman basic and confinement.

California law states that it is illegal to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or more.

For a first-time offense in the civilian community, the servicemember subjects themselves to the maximum penalty of confinement of no less than 96 hours, a fine of not less than $390, and restriction of driving privileges, including a suspension of driving privileges on base.

If the servicemember is found to be driving while intoxicated on the installation, he may be tried by courts-marital and subject to the maximum punishment of confinement for six months, reduction to lowest enlisted grade, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and a bad conduct discharge.

Additionally, underage drinking has serious consequences.

If a servicemember is found to be drinking under the age of 21, he of she can be court-martialed and punished to confinement for six months, reduction to the lowest enlisted grade, forfeiture of all pay and allowances and a bad conduct discharge.

Even if the Airman is not adjudged a punitive discharge from the courts-martial, he is subject to administrative action that may lead to a characterization of service less than honorable. Any discharge that has a characterization less than honorable severely limits benefits that the servicemember is entitled to upon separation, including the loss of Montgomery GI Bill benefits.

Do not become an alcohol-related statistic, think before you drink and call a friend if you have had too much to drink.