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Armed Forces Against Drunk Driving provides rides

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jake Eckhardt
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  It's Friday, and you and your friends decide to go out after a long day at work. One of your friends volunteers to be the designated driver, but he later decides to have a couple drinks.

Later you notice that your designated driver isn't fit to drive now. What do you do?

The Armed Forces Against Drunk Driving is a program at Scott Air Force Base that will pick up any Team Scott servicemember who doesn't have another way home.

"We know all the first sergeants and supervisors are always telling their Airmen to call them if they need anything," said Senior Airman Alex Benningfield, AFADD president. "We are just giving them another option."

The all-volunteer program splits up the week into two shifts, Monday through Thursday, then Thursday through Monday, and will pick up any servicemember within 25 miles of the base to include downtown St. Louis.

When AFADD gets a call, a two-person team consisting of a male and female is sent out to pick up the person in need.

"We do this so there is always someone that is the same gender, so there are never any issues with anyone getting uncomfortable," Benningfield said.

The program, which potentially saved 134 lives last year alone, is confidential and free.

"Whenever they get to the person, they check their identification to make sure they are who they say they are," Benningfield said. "However, we do not check for age. That's not what we're there for."

Along with potentially saving lives, AFADD also prevents military members from getting into trouble with the law and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Master Sgt. Pierre Wright, 375th Security Forces Squadron said, "For military members, they could receive UCMJ actions if they drive under the influence. They could also get an article for misconduct or disrespect."

Depending on the severity of the charge, the person could get anything from losing their license for months, to a dishonorable discharge.

"The worst consequence is arriving to a scene where someone has died due to drunk driving," said Wright.

Master Sgt. Robert Fitspatrick, 375th SFS first sergeant, said, "I would much rather have any of my Airmen call me at 2 a.m. than try to drive while intoxicated."

Another resource that the 375th SFS has for military personal on base is the Law Enforcement Desk. Once a call has been made to the LE Desk, security forces can then get in contact with the caller's unit, and help find them a ride home.

"We have to leave our lines open for actual emergencies, but in this case it could prevent a potential emergency," said Wright.

Benningfield said the AFADD is an organization that tries to keep everyone safe.

"We are protecting our military members and we are also protecting the community by taking out the risk before it ever happens."

To volunteer to become a designated driver for AFADD, visit the website www.scottafb-afadd.com/default.aspx.

The number to get a ride home is 256-HOME(4663).