Photo By Senior Airman Kathryn Reaves | According to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis, an estimated 10,000...... read more read more
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Throughout their careers, Airmen are often reminded about the “wingman concept” and looking out for their fellow service members.
However, a total of 31 alcohol-related incidents occurred at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, during 2016; 31 times wingmen could have made a difference.
The individuals involved in the ARIs could have had a plan that failed or may not have had a wingman they could depend on.
Because not everything goes as planned all the time, one group of Team Shaw Airmen are doing what they can to make sure all active-duty service members and their families have a safe back-up plan when consuming alcohol.
During 2016, volunteers with Airmen Against Drunk Driving donated approximately 12,000 hours of their time and provided safe transportation to 124 Team Shaw members on base and in the Dalzell and Sumter, S.C., areas.
As a driver, Airman 1st Class Teejay Chin, Shaw AADD council public relations manager, realized how important AADD was for the safety of Airmen.
“I would think to myself ‘What if AADD wasn’t here,’” said Chin. “These Airmen could get behind the wheel and injure someone, injure themselves or lose their career.”
According to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis, an estimated 10,000 driving fatalities in 2014 were caused by individuals driving under the influence of alcohol.
The Airmen volunteering with AADD are doing their part to make sure service members and their families do not become part of that statistic.
“We’re here for you,” said Chin. “That’s the purpose of this organization: to be here for other Airmen. … We’re not here to pass judgement on anyone who has gotten in trouble. We’re just here to prevent things from happening in the future.”
Although AADD volunteers are always available to help intoxicated Airmen and family members, it’s important to have a plan before drinking.
Senior Airman Jose Velazquez, Shaw AADD council vice president, said having a plan and sticking to it can help Airmen get home safely. A plan can include limiting alcohol consumption by only taking a certain amount of cash, deciding on the number of drinks ahead of time, having a driver and having phone numbers to available resources.
Plans can also include having a charged cellphone and letting someone know where the individual will be and when they will return, said Chin.
But when plans fail, Team Shaw members can count on AADD wingmen to get them home safely.
To volunteer with AADD or for more information about receiving a ride, call 803-983-9722 or 803-983-9723.
| Date Taken: | 03.15.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 03.15.2017 07:44 |
| Story ID: | 226862 |
| Location: | UNITED STATES, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 32 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, AADD wingmen: getting home safely, by SrA Kathryn Reaves, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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