What to do when a plan fails: Offutt Leadership Stresses DUI Prevention Published Nov. 18, 2013 By 2nd Lt. Carly A. Costello 55th Wing Public Affairs OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- (This feature is the first installment of a three part series on drinking and driving prevention.) As of Nov. 1, there have been 32 driving while intoxicated cases at Offutt this year. Thirty two cases where someone's plan failed. On average, three Team Offutt members were caught drinking and driving every month this year, according to the 55th Security Forces Squadron. This is less than the year before, which averaged almost four a month, but more than 2011. Driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal and dangerous. It puts one's and others' health and well-being at risk and cannot only cost someone their night, it can also cost them their career, or even worse, their life or the life of someone else. This is why Offutt leadership is emphasizing the importance of having a plan. But what if the plan falls through? There are several groups on base that want to make sure Team Offutt members get home safely after a night of drinking. They are there to help out if a plan fails. These groups include the First Sergeants Group, the Chiefs Group and Airmen Against Drunk Driving, and one of these groups is always available to assist. But unfortunately, some of these services are rarely utilized. "A significant hurdle is pride or unable to recognize impairment when dealing with DUI behaviors," said Chief Master Sgt. Dave Ortegon, Chair for the Chief Cares DUI Prevention program within the Offutt Chiefs Group. These groups are aware of the possible stigma that surrounds calling a first sergeant for a ride or using the Happy Cab service provided by the Chiefs Group. They understand that some feel that they might be doing themselves a disservice by bringing attention to their night of drinking. Some believe that by using one of these services, they will get in trouble with their chain of command. But according to representatives from the three groups, this could not be further from the truth. "I would hope... Airman can see that the Shirt is not out to get them," said U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Christopher Morgan, Comptroller Squadron First Sergeant and First Sergeant Group vice president . "Shirts are there to guide and mentor them. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Your career may just rely on it." These groups would rather pick up and save one of their troops from a bar or a party than from jail, or even worse, the hospital or morgue. "Typically when the shirt gets the call, it's too late and they have been caught," Morgan said. "I would love nothing more than to see that change to saves." The Chiefs Group uses the Happy Cab service. This service will pick up any Offutt member and take him or her home, sending the bill to the Chiefs Group, so there is no stress of having to find money to pay the bill at the time of the ride. Once the group receives the bill, they will decide how it should be paid. "The Chiefs Group takes our Airmen's safety seriously," Ortegon said. "The desire of the program is to give folks a safe way out of a potential DUI when other plans fail. This along with other program participants like AADD and leadership support provide a safety net as long as we are willing to use the tools available." AADD has shown to be the most popular out of the three groups with more than 200 calls for rides this year alone, according to Senior Airman Wilson Honeycutt, Offutt's AADD president. "Sometimes it doesn't matter how much you plan, things just don't work out," Honeycutt said. "AADD gives military members a free-of-charge solution to finding themselves in the middle of a broken plan. AADD saves lives and careers." These three groups are all tools for Airmen and Offutt members to use if they find themselves without a ride after a night of drinking. They are there to make sure their fellow troops get home without putting anyone else in harm's way. "I don't know a first sergeant who would not rather pick up one of their Airman and give them a ride home as opposed to picking them up from jail, or even worse, having to setup a memorial for them," Morgan said. "One call can save countless wasted man hours and a career." If your plan falls through and find yourself without a ride, please call your first sergeant, Happy Cab at 402-239-0110 or AADD at 402-294-2233.