SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii -- Safety is one of the four topics under the new "Take a STAND!" campaign.
"Safety violations, like drinking and driving, are preventable by those willing to 'Take a STAND!' and make good choices," said Bill Maxwell, garrison safety specialist.
He recounted the following actual event. The names and other details were withheld.
-- Actual Event
Subject #1 and Subject #2 make plans to go to Waikiki, explore and have a good time. They decide that Subject #1 is going to be the designated driver so that Subject #2 can drink. It is a solid plan when they depart post.
They are using Subject #2′s vehicle, so he drives the two of them down. Subject #1 will drive them home.
Subject #1 and Subject #2 are in a local Waikiki night club, when Subject #1 meets a girl. Subject #2 continues to enjoy his night of drinking.
Subject #1 and the girl hit it off; things are going great. However, one thing leads to another, and Subject #1 leaves the night club with the girl, leaving his buddy.
As the evening winds down, Subject #2 is unable to locate Subject #1. Subject #2 realizes that he still has the keys to his vehicle and makes the decision to drive back to base after consuming too many beverages at the night club. He is then pulled over by the Honolulu Police Department, apprehended and processed for operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant.
-- Bad choices
There were several bad choice that were made.
First, the subjects failed to have a back-up plan in the event they got separated, boy met a girl, etc. Also, the following were overlooked:
Subject #1 failed his buddy by deciding to leave with the girl, not telling his buddy where he was going. Most importantly, he never got the keys from his buddy.
Subject #2, not having a back-up plan, decided that he was "good," and he could drive home.
"This is a great example of how to 'Take a STAND!,'" said Sgt Maj. Veronica Regalbuti, senior enlisted adviser, Directorate of Emergency Services. "Have a plan, then have an alternate plan for possible changes in the evening. Don't leave your battle buddy, and definitely don't leave the keys with them if they have been drinking."
If all your plans fail, before you make the decision to drive, there is a Military Police Substation at Fort DeRussy, near the Hale Koa.
"Go there and the MPs will call your staff duty and help you get home before you make the wrong choice," said Regalbuti.
-- Points of Contact
Call for help at these numbers:
•Fort DeRussy: (808) 438-2650.
•Fort Shafter: (808) 438-7114.
•Schofield Barracks: (808) 655-5555.
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