Alcohol Related Incidents: Far-reaching consequences

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Zade C. Vadnais
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Editor's note: This is the second installment in a four-part series on alcohol related incidents.

Members of the U.S. military take an oath to serve with the understanding that they are entitled to certain benefits as representatives of their country and are to conduct their private affairs with honor and integrity.

One mistake, especially a high-profile mistake such as an alcohol-related incident, could lead to paperwork, reduction in rank, forfeiture of pay or even a less-than-honorable discharge.

The personal consequences of more serious alcohol-related incidents, such as drinking and driving or being drunk and disorderly, are well-known and severe enough to deter most people from making poor choices. However, some people choose to put themselves at risk under the assumption that they are the only ones who will bear the consequences.

Aside from the obvious impact suffered by those directly involved, most people don't consider the effect their behavior can have on others.

"If someone gets a DUI, for example, they can no longer drive and now have to be driven everywhere," said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonathan Becker, 18th Medical Operations Squadron certified alcohol and drug abuse counselor.

Becker, who is also the interim NCO in charge of Kadena's Air Force Drug and Alcohol Abuse Program, said that Airmen who become involved in ARIs cost their unit man hours due to mandatory appointments and counseling sessions that could be incurred as punishment for their actions. Additionally, if an Airman ends up in jail without a replacement, their coworkers would have to pick up the slack at work.

Irresponsible drinking has the potential to affect more than just coworkers, friends and family members. Reckless actions also risk the personal liberty and morale of brothers and sisters in arms and the U.S. military's reputation in the local community.

The entire U.S. military population on Okinawa was put under strict alcohol restrictions and an early curfew for more than two years due to a string of ARIs involving only a few military members each. Although it seems as if those days are in the past, 18th Communications Squadron personnel recently lost their privilege to consume alcohol under similar circumstances.

"When someone makes a mistake it has the potential to affect everyone," said Chief Master Sgt. Rongi Langham, 18th Communications Squadron superintendent. "We're in someone else's country, on someone else's soil and we all need to be good ambassadors and try not to jeopardize the community ties we've built."

Langham said Airmen, especially younger ones, tend to forget that the U.S. military is here to conduct a mission and one person's actions could have a domino effect on larger issues such as national policy. He also explained that there is nothing wrong with enjoying a few drinks during downtime as long as it is done responsibly.

"If you want to go out and have a few drinks, go," Langham said. "Just have a plan, make sure you're with someone who is going to be responsible and who is going to ensure everyone makes it home on time and stays out of trouble."