Plan before you consume

  • Published
  • By Col. Mark Dillon
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Every Airman knows the consequences of consuming alcohol without a plan. And yet a small percentage of our Team Travis Airmen continue to do so. You have all heard it during commanders' calls, unit role calls and discussions with supervisors. You have seen the pictures, heard the stories and felt the emotion. Despite all of this and the Air Force's extensive marketing and training campaigns to prevent alcohol-related accidents, our Air Force family continues to experience the tragic consequences of alcohol impairment. 

In fact, during the past two weeks we have had five Airmen who were caught drinking and driving. Since alcohol continues to be a major factor in off-duty mishaps, alcohol awareness is a primary focus during this year's critical days of summer safety campaign. The bottom-line: don't drink and drive, and do not ride with those who have. 

The effects of alcohol are well known -- reaction time is delayed and judgment is impaired. Given that one-third of the Air Force's annual automobile fatalities involve alcohol, we need to make every effort to stop our "Big-A" Airmen from driving under the influence. Good wingmen don't let a fellow Airmen drive drunk. 

When personal accountability and wingmanship breakdown, there's still Airmen Against Drunk Driving. By dialing 424-AADD (424-2233), a servicemember can request a ride home every Friday or Saturday night, no questions asked. For all you "techy" Airmen, preset this must-have number on your cell phone. This great group of American Airmen -- 212 volunteers strong -- are already credited with 364 saves since January. 

Unfortunately, we had 28 DUIs in the same six month time period, individuals who did not use AADD. Luckily, these individuals did not cause injury to themselves or others. Do not let an arrest, injury or death cause you to realize the dangers of irresponsible alcohol consumption. 

Although a majority of the alcohol-related incidents involve motor vehicles, alcohol can also have devastating affects on other summer recreational activities such as boating and swimming. Actions can be taken to prevent alcohol-related incidents without hindering fun. 

All the members of our extended Air Force family have an obligation to teach, mentor and profess the importance of off-duty safety. Whether planning a mission or summer fun with friends and family, safety depends upon appropriate planning. Plans established after the consumption of alcohol usually fail. Therefore, when alcohol is involved, follow two simple steps: plan first and consume second. 

Take responsibility and take the necessary steps to ensure we do not lose anymore of our Air Force family. Do not jeopardize your own safety, or that of others. While Command Chief Williams and I enjoy meeting Team Travis Airmen, don't let that encounter occur by you standing at attention with your supervisor and squadron commander in my office. You deserve to have fun, but do it safely and responsibility, and remember to be safe and smart out there. We owe it to ourselves, our families, our unit and our Nation.