Know the law, know the limits, and don’t drink and drive

  • Published
  • By 341st Security Forces Squadron
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  During the entire span of fiscal year 2015, Malmstrom had only five incidents of individuals driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI). It was a great year because of a team effort from all involved. In the two months since fiscal year 2016 began, however, there have already been five instances of personnel committing a DUI offense. This should be a sobering statistic for all members of Team Malmstrom; the same number of DUIs occurred in the last two months as occurred in the previous 12.

As a result of this disturbing trend, Col. Tom Wilcox, 341st Missile Wing commander, has directed the wing to increase anti-DUI education and enforcement efforts. The enforcement piece of that mission falls to the defenders of the 341st Security Forces Squadron. Beginning this month and continuing throughout the next year, they will be increasing the number and frequency of enforcement actions at various locations on the installation. The 341st SFS will also be working with the law enforcement agencies of Great Falls Police Department and Cascade County Sheriff's office to coordinate the anti-DUI enforcement on base with similar ongoing efforts in the local community.

Prior to heading out on the roads this holiday season, it is important for all Malmstrom personnel to know the law, know the limits, and have a plan to avoid a DUI.

Under Montana state law, a person convicted of a first violation shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than 24 consecutive hours or more than six months, and by a fine of not less than $600 or more than $1,000. If one or more passengers under 16 years of age were in the vehicle at the time of the offense, the person shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than 48 consecutive hours or more than one year and by a fine of not less than $1,200 or more than $2,000.

Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Article 111, military members who drive under the influence can be subject to administrative action and non-judicial punishment to include loss of rank, forfeiture of pay, additional duty, and loss of privileges to include driving personal and government vehicles on the installation. In addition, personnel whose blood alcohol content is not over the legal limit of .08, but who are impaired while operating a vehicle, can be charged under Article 92 of the UCMJ. Moreover, the greatest cost of a DUI is the risk posed to the safety and well-being of everyone on the road.

According to DrinkingAndDriving.org (DADO), since the September 11 terror attacks, over 140,000 men and women and children have died in America as a result of drunk driving. In Cascade County, Montana, six out of every 100,000 people are killed by drinking and driving. 

There are a variety of resources available to Malmstrom personnel to help avoid becoming part of these deadly statistics. If you choose to drink, then have a plan; utilize a wingman or call Airmen Against Drunk Driving at (406) 788-4663. If you are concerned that you or someone you know may have a problem with alcohol use, seek help through your first sergeant or chaplain; the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention & Treatment (ADAPT) program; the 341st Medical Group's mental health clinic; or one of the many other on- or off-base resources.