JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Over the past few weeks we have had a master sergeant, a staff sergeant, two senior airmen, and an airman first class from the 437th Airlift Wing arrested for Driving While Intoxicated. This is a very alarming trend that keeps me up at night. It takes me back to the memorial service last year when Staff Sgt. Joseph Villasenor was killed while driving under the influence of alcohol, and to the previous year when Senior Airman Joshua Zwick was killed while driving under the influence of alcohol; and only a few months prior to him, there was Master Sgt. Jermode Pharr who was also killed while driving under the influence of alcohol. What did we learn from the regrettable deaths of these cherished Charleston Airmen? Nothing? Why would an Airman consume alcohol, a substance designed to impact brain and motor function, and then choose to drive? Fellow warriors, we should be thankful that heroes from the Charleston Police Department stepped in to take control before the Airmen in our recent DWI incidents inflicted harm on themselves or the public. DWI is a crime and the National Highway Safety Administration further comments that alcohol-impaired driving is the most frequently committed violent crime in the United States.
We must act to prevent this type of self-destructive and criminal behavior that jeopardizes the lives of everyone on the roadways. Col. Erik Hansen, the 437 AW commander, and I met with 15 different groups of Airmen, investing over 7.5 hours to discuss, in conversational forums, the issues we face concerning responsible use of alcohol. Our message is simple: Airmen work extremely hard protecting the freedoms we enjoy as Americans, and if they choose to enjoy downtime by consuming alcoholic beverages, it should be done responsibly. A special action team is currently building an anti-DWI campaign and we are evaluating many suggestions for correcting this troubling trend of drinking and driving. We also welcome ideas from our readers who wish to share their thoughts. You may send comments and suggestions to the 437 AW Commander's Action Group at: 437AW.DS-01@US.AF.MIL.
During this development phase, I am asking for help in taking immediate steps to discuss the dangers of abusing alcohol and especially of driving after drinking. Supervisors should have face-to-face discussions with Airmen to evaluate weekend plans and alcohol consumption. Peers must also step in with a culture of intervention to stop the crime from occurring in the first place. We may be hesitant to stop one of our friends from drinking and driving, but imagine how agonizing it would be if we fail to initiate this course correction and it results in loss of life or injury to our colleague or an innocent bystander. Peers are usually in the best position to recognize dangerous behavior and alcohol abuse and encourage changes in behavior.
By no means am I excusing the behavior of perpetrators who commit DWI offenses. We will continue to apply severe disciplinary action to hold these Airmen accountable for committing a serious crime. Today's poor economy has led to increased military retention rates and recurring force reduction boards. Having a DWI on one's record puts their career in jeopardy and leads to enormous legal costs, loss of rank, and possible discharge from the military. Good order and discipline will always be enforced. The challenge is in changing the culture of binge drinking and poor planning by many Airmen consuming alcohol. Three airmen killed in the past two years and we continue along the same trend ... it's time to stop the madness. Please get involved and have an honest open conversation with your peers on the responsible use of alcohol. Be a part of the solution.