Can you, your unit, your career afford a DUI?

  • Published
  • By Airman Daniel Lile
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Driving under the influence can be lethal to the driver, and to other innocent pedestrians and drivers' lives. As Air Force members it is not just physically dangerous, it is also lethal to your career, rank, money, reputation and unit.
With the upcoming holidays, Airmen are urged to take extra precaution in preventing themselves and their wingmen from making critical mistakes.

"The most important thing you can do to prevent DUIs is to have a plan for transportation before you begin to drink," said Capt. Laura Hansen, 14th Security Forces Squadron Operations Officer. "The situation where we see most DUIs is because these people just started drinking and had no plan ahead of time for how they would get home. If you make a plan ahead of time you greatly improve your chances that you won't decide to drive in the heat of the moment."

Hansen has a unique background where she has seen the severe consequences of drunk driving.

"One of my childhood friends was named Katie; we were very close friends," Hansen said. "She was killed by a drunk driver when she was 20 years old. The drunk driver lived and she died. Just the thought that this 20-year-old girl with her whole life ahead of her was killed because this other guy decided to drink and drive. If you drink and drive you could be that other guy."

Along with the clear danger drunk drivers put on themselves and those around them, DUIs greatly affect Airmen's careers and their unit's morale.

"DUIs are terrible for your career," Hansen said. "They are terrible for your squadron. It just makes you look bad, you have to deal with all this legal, administrative and punishment stuff and you pretty much bring your whole squadron down. You don't just hurt yourself; you hurt everyone around you."

The financial impact of a DUI charge off base can also be severe.

"If you are found guilty of driving under the influence, off base, you are going to be fined and assessed court fees," said Capt. L. Yasmeen Wells, 14th Flying Training Wing Prosecuting Attorney. "If you hire an attorney to try to defend against DUI charges, that can cost anywhere from $250 to $400 per hour. It's a significant out of pocket cost."

Financial hardships are not the only actions taken against Airmen who get a DUI off base; administrative actions are also typically taken by the individual's command.

"Actions such as a letter of reprimand, administrative demotion, and loss of driving privileges [can occur]," Wells said. "Depending on the severity of the DUI incident or history of misconduct of the individual, an administrative discharge is always on the table."

Administrative punishment can occur as well.

"If you get a DUI on base it may be reasonable for no judicial punishment, such as an Article 15, to be offered," Wells said. "Punishments vary, depending on the rank of the individual. Officers can lose half of their pay for up to two months, and enlisted can lose pay and rank." 

However, if personnel are harmed in the incident the punishment could result in court-martial charges.

Airmen should always have a plan if alcohol is involved; however if their plan fails they should call someone.

"Whenever leadership is looking at DUIs, there is always a very strong feeling of 'I wish that person had called me,'" Hansen said. "I will be willing to get out of my bed at 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. and be willing to drive to Starkville or wherever to pick them up. Everybody feels that way even if you are not that close to the person. Anybody that is above you in your chain of command will come rescue you."