MEDIA CONTEST: You drink, you drive … you pay (part two)

  • Published
  • Series Entry 5B
ACC MEDIA CONTEST --  "When the commander read the findings of the Article 15 proceedings, I felt ashamed," he said. "I wished at the moment that it was someone else he was talking to, but he wasn't. I thought to myself that standing before him in his office at attention is not where I ever wanted to be. You can feel the change in your face when you hear your punishment."

The wing commander's office is as silent as a tomb prior to the formal start of the proceedings.

Despite all of the education given to every Airman, the briefs at commander calls, the constant reminders by supervisors, someone has made a conscious decision to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. Now, he is about to answer for their actions.

The commander rises behind his desk and returns the salute as the Airman delivers the formal reporting statement.

The wing commander reads the forms in front of him, which spells out the legal penalties for this offender's actions.

In addition to the extra duty and restriction to base, the commander specifies a reduction in rank.

Does the offender understand the reduction is immediate? That he is, under no circumstances, to leave the confines of the headquarters building wearing the stripes he came in with.

The Airman says he does.

"You are dismissed," said Col. Jeffry Smith, 28th BW commander. "First sergeant, remove his stripes, please."

The Article 15 proceedings are over. But, for the Airman, the pain has just begun.

The effected Airman in the above Article 15 said besides the obvious stress of being involved in such an incident, his overall job performance was also hindered as a side-effect.

"Due to the loss of driving privileges, I'm not as efficient as I was before the incident," he said. "I'm unable to respond to work emergencies at the drop of a hat."

A co-worker must drive him to work and elsewhere when he needs to travel to perform his duties.

The Article 15 had personal as well as professional effects on the Airman.

"When the commander read the findings of the Article 15 proceedings, I felt ashamed," he said. "I wished at the moment that it was someone else he was talking to, but he wasn't. I thought to myself that standing before him in his office at attention is not where I ever wanted to be. You can feel the change in your face when you hear your punishment."

The removal of his rank insignia was particularly significant.

"It's almost bearable until you hear the sound of the rank being ripped from the sleeves," he said.

The Airman said it was something no one should ever want to see or hear.

Another effect the DUI had on this Airman was his loss of credibility with his supervision. He explained it took him several years to get the confidence and respect from his leadership and now his goal is to work at regaining it. He offers the following advice for his fellow Air Force members regarding DUIs.

"Don't put yourself in that situation. Don't let another person put themselves in that situation. Anyone you know would be willing to pick you up no matter the time of night or early morning that you call them."

So, to answer the sign beside the DUI/Revocation lot: DUI -- Is it worth it? One Airman doesn't think so.

He said his friends "all wish they could have done something to prevent it, but the truth is I could have done something to prevent it. I don't want it happening to anyone else after me."