DUI and Your Air Force and Military Career

The Air Force and other branches of the military typically have a zero tolerance policy on drinking and driving. For any airman arrested for DUI either on or off base, the Air Force will take appropriate action. Some of the indirect administrative actions can imposed by your commanding officer regardless of the outcome of the case, include the following:

• suspended driving privileges both on and off base;
• Article 15;
• a reprimand;
• loss of rank;
• six months of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team meetings; and/or
• suspended pay.

At the Sammis Law Firm in Tampa, FL, our DUI Attorneys understand that after an allegation of DUI an airman faces both direct and indirect consequences. Although immediate action is taken by the Air Force, the best protection against more long term and sever consequences to your military career is pursuing an aggressive defense to the charges. By fighting the administrative suspension of your driver's license and by fighting the criminal case in court, you may be able to best protect your career.

Many military members take the attitude that if they did the crime they should do the time. However, every person accused of a crime deserves an experienced criminal defense attorney fighting for the best possible result. Members of the military have even more to lose and should seek an attorney focused on criminal and DUI defense in the Tampa Bay area.

MacDill Air Force Base Airmen Against Drunk Driving (AADD)

The surprising number of airmen getting arrested for DUI both on base and off base has lead to the creation of the Air Force Airmen Against Drunk Driving (AADD) which exists at several air force bases throughout the country. Officials have discussed the possibility of bringing back the AADD at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.

The goal of the AADD is to decrease DUI arrests and DUI accidents involving airmen. On many Air Force bases the Airmen Against Drunk Driving program, is staffed by airmen volunteers and offers free rides home to airmen on weekend nights. The AADD also accepts donations which can be used to fund certain programs that reduce drunk driving cases among Airmen.

Any member of the military or contractor that works on base should be particular careful to avoid an allegation of drunk driving. The allegation can severely impact your military career. Members of the military should plan ahead to avoid any chance of drinking and driving. The stakes are too high. Don't drink and drive. But if you forget to designate a driver then call the Sammis Law Firm for advice on what you need to do now to protect your driving record and your future.

Watch a funny low budget video put out by an AADD chapter on the topic of drunk driving by members of the Air Force. The AADD advocates planning ahead and having a "designated wingman."