18th SFS take additional DUI/DWI measures

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Laszlo Babocsi
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  I can have one drink and be fine...

I am a big guy; it takes more to get me drunk...

Beer affects me differently than liquor...

How many times have we heard these sayings? Having even just one drink could raise your blood alcohol content level high enough to land you with a driving while drinking indicated charge. That means blowing as low as 0.03% BAC could cause you to have your license suspended for 12 hours.

With driving under the influence and driving while intoxicated incidents on the rise, the 18th Security Forces Squadron Airmen are trained to detect the signs and symptoms of intoxication Dec. 13, on Kadena Air Base, Japan.

"The measure that our training teaches our defenders is how to identify a person under the influence no matter if they are operating a vehicle or just a pedestrian," said Tech. Sgt. Russell Crump, 18th SFS NCO in charge of police services.

Through controlled environment training, the defenders got a real-world feel for the types of scenarios they may come across on patrol.

"It gives us more of a real feel, anyone can click through computer-based training," Crump said. "To have that hands-on experience with a living, breathing person that is under the influence makes that training more realistic."

This type of experience is vital to every defender, young or old, low or high-ranking, and each brings a piece of knowledge when it comes to this type of training.

"Everyone has different experiences, I have been in the Air Force for quite a while now, so I have experiences someone else might not have had and vice versa," Crump added. "They might even bring something to the table I may not have seen before or even done way."

The dedication these defenders put forth in their training is more than just to their mission; It's to make our community safer for everyone.

"At the end of the day it's a requirement that is going to make our job better and in turn better for the community," Crump said.

Think you can still afford that drink? Here is a scale of the BAC limits and driving restrictions that accompany any judicial punishment received:
  • Under legal drinking age, consumption while driving - 6 months suspension
  • Driving while drinking indicated (DWDI) 0.03% - 0.049% - 12 hour suspension
  • Driving under the influence (DUI) 0.05% - 0.079% - 6 month suspension
  • Driving while intoxicated (DWI) 0.08% or higher - 1 year revocation