Unit reaches three-year milestone

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. James M. Hodgman
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  Driving while intoxicated costs billions of dollars in damages every year. Millions of arrests have been made because of it. In the United States, someone is killed every 40 minutes because someone takes that unnecessary risk. The 55th Strategic Communications Squadron is proud to say it is a risk they refuse to accept. 

Several members of the 55th SCS moved their unit's placard on the DUI awareness boards inside Offutt's main gates, from the two-year to the three-year mark June 4, representing the unit being DUI-free for more than three years. 

Col. Boykin B. Jordan Jr., the 55th Communications Group commander and Lt. Col. Albert Z. Talamantez, the 55th Communications Group deputy commander attended the ceremony. 

"The sign is symbolic of taking care of each other," Colonel Jordan said, "and the 55th SCS has figured out how to do just that." 

Colonel Jordan also said there is no way to know how many lives were saved in the past year by 55th SCS Airmen making the right decisions. The colonel congratulated the unit on its success and challenged them to continue to be DUI-free. 

According to the DUI awareness board inside the Kenney Gate, only seven squadrons at Offutt have been DUI-free for three years or more, with the 55th SCS now being one of them. 

Lt. Col. Karen J. Hibbard, 55th SCS commander, said she is proud of the Airmen and civilians in her unit who she credits with the squadron's ability to celebrate three years without a DUI incident. 

"The unit has taken on the full Wingman culture," Colonel Hibbard said. "Everyone is really looking out for one another." 

Being a good Wingman is something Airman 1st Class Cameron D. Smith, a software quality assurance analyst with the 55th SCS, said is standard practice. 

"In my element we make sure we know when someone is coming up on their 21st birthday since that is usually a big day for people," Airman Smith said. "If someone wants to go out, we have a plan already set up, we'll take that person out and make sure he or she gets home okay." 

Other practices the 55th SCS uses to help deter possible DUIs are anti-DUI briefings, ensuring Airmen understand the importance of having a plan and know the resources available to them in case their plan falls through. 

"When you consider the consequences of DUI, whether it is loss of life or an administrative punishment it's just not worth it," Colonel Hibbard said. "There are too many resources for someone to get home safe such as Airmen Against Drunk Driving and the Chief's Group Happy Cab; an Airman could also call me and I'll find them a ride home," Colonel Hibbard added. 

Making sure Airmen realize they won't get in trouble for calling someone is also essential Colonel Hibbard stressed. 

"You must constantly instill in your Airmen that they won't get in trouble for calling someone if their plan falls through," she said. "I'd rather get a phone call than have someone in my office Monday morning to work through the negative effects of a DUI." 

Sometimes briefing people on the importance of having a plan and the consequences of a DUI are not enough. Sometimes an intervention is necessary. Intervening, if necessary, is every Airman's responsibility Airman Smith said. 

"When I was at a National Association for Stock Car Racing event in Virginia my sister's boyfriend had a few (alcoholic) drinks," he said. "Knowing this I made sure no one got in the car before I had the keys." 

Both Senior Airman Ashley R. Gibson, a Milstar maintenance technician with the 55th SCS, and Airman Smith said they would intervene to prevent a DUI because not intervening can have grave consequences. 

"When I was going through the First Term Airman Center I heard about an Airman who lost his wife and daughter in an accident caused by a drunk driver," Airman Smith said. 

Airman Gibson said one of her friends was recently discharged because she drove while intoxicated. 

Driving while intoxicated is not tolerated in the 55th SCS, Airman Gibson said. "When we get new Airmen in the unit we make sure they understand we don't tolerate underage drinking or drinking and driving." 

"We also make sure everyone knows they have someone they can lean on, if you don't have anyone to depend on and you're in a tight spot you're probably going to make the wrong decision," Airman Gibson said. Having someone to help out will always be beneficial, she added. 

The challenge now for the 55th SCS is to remain DUI-free. A goal Colonel Hibbard said her squadron is more than capable of. 

Members of Team Offutt who need a ride home after they've been drinking may contact AADD at (402)-659-2233 or the Chief's Group Happy Cab at (402)-339-0110.