Maryland’s Joint Base Andrews (JB Andrews) used to have a designated driver program, but it was deactivated. Last year, a medical technician who lost her 3-year-old nephew to a drunk driver made it her mission to reinstate the Andrews Against Drunk Driving (AADD) program. It hadn’t been in place for about a year.
She’s now the president of AADD. She says she doesn’t want another family to go through the pain that her family suffered “simply because one of our airmen felt like they had no other way home.” The group was able to begin responding to calls in time to support last year’s holiday parties.
The group is still trying to get information about their services and the AADD dispatcher number out to service members. They’ve been speaking at welcome briefings and courses for first-term airmen. One master sergeant says, “Our leadership teaches us to have a plan. As I talk to my airmen, young and old alike, I ensure that they know of AADD, as well as other options to assist with them having a plan to return home, whether on base or off, safely.”
The medical technician who was instrumental in rebooting the program says that, in addition to the obvious potential dangers of getting behind the wheel after drinking, a conviction for drunk driving can have serious ramifications for a person’s military career. She tells volunteers, “Whether you know it or not, every time you get behind the wheel as someone’s designated driver, you’re saving a life or a career.”
Drunk driving convictions can have serious, long-term repercussions for your life, your family and your career whether you’re in the military or a civilian. That’s why it’s essential to know your rights and legal options if you’ve been arrested for driving under the influence.
Source: U.S. Air Force, “Airman revives JBA designated driver program,” Airman 1st Class Jalene A. Brooks, April 23, 2018
