Drinking and Driving: It's just not worth it!

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Larry W. Carpenter Jr.
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  The holidays are finally here, and we all know what that means - holiday parties and some time to let loose, relax and party with family and friends.

With this in mind, while everyone condones having a good time, ensure that you have a plan so you don't end up in the new "airman to civilian" program. We all know the program. It takes a bright, young Airman and makes them a civilian in no time at all and is usually accompanied with a dishonorable discharge. All because of not having a plan.

The Air Force continues to draw down numbers to a current number of 316,000. So knowing that cuts are going to be made, why out yourself in a situation that has the potential to into an alcohol related incident and put your head on the chopping block?

Yes, it is bad to ruin your career over one night of drinking. Although, there is nothing in writing stating your career is over if you receive a citation for driving under the influence, we all know it is very likely.

I've known too many good Airmen who could have been outstanding leaders for our Air Force. Instead, they got the early exit because of an incident which could have easily been prevented.

Losing a career is bad. Losing a life is worse. A good friend of mine took it a step further and ended his life, all due to making a decision to get behind the wheel after drinking.

My teacher, mentor, and friend took his own life after receiving his second DUI. He felt that his career was going to be over and that his children, one with special needs, would lose all benefits and he would not be able to take care of them. He took what he thought was his only way out, and in the process devastated his family, friends and a group of young Airmen that looked up to him, me included.

All of this could have been avoided in a multitude of ways. Every base I've been too has had Airmen Against Drunk Driving program, which provides a free ride home with a simple phone call. Sounds overly dramatic, but one simple phone call and the Air Force would still have an excellent technician and I would still have my friend.

Some folks are still worried that taking AADD will somehow get back to their unit and will reflect badly upon them. This is ludicrous and it's a poor excuse - not a reason, but an excuse, and is easily remedied. Call a cab!

The price of a cab compared to the price of dealing with a DUI is a bargain! It may seem strange, but when 2 a.m. rolls around and the bars begin closing, cabs start coming out of the woodwork looking to take people home. Don't let money be an excuse why not to use this available resource.

Folks, lets make sure we look after each other and try to ensure that any preventable incidents are just actually prevented! We cannot afford to lose our people to senseless acts or irresponsibility.

The affects of losing those close to us have lingering ramifications, trust me I know. So, enjoy the holidays, have fun with your friends and family but try to avoid making a decision that will have long-lasting consequences on your career, or what would be left of it. Don't let yourself or someone else drive after drinking.

Drinking and driving; it's just not worth it!