FORT SILL, Okla. (April 10, 2014) -- Sgt. Daniel Harter, Lawton Police Department senior patrolman, visited 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery April 4 to speak to Soldiers about dangerous situations they might encounter and how to avoid or reduce such hazards.
"Don't ever go over that limit guys, don't take that risk," warned Harter as he discussed driving after drinking alcohol.
Harter spoke of the negative consequences that would occur following an instance of drinking and driving. Rather than just scare the "Steel Warrior" battalion, Harter offered tips he believes not only make the streets safer, but an Army personnel record cleaner.
"If you've had too much to drink and you know it, take off those shoes, put the keys far away, pull into a parking lot and lay in the back to rest it off," he said.
He said in some instances DUIs can still be given if someone is sleeping, but offered tips to avoid this from happening.
"Sergeant Harter's presentation to the battalion was an excellent opportunity to be addressed by an expert who provided the legal facts," said 1st Lt. Clinton Custer, B Battery executive officer. "Soldiers need to be exposed to the negative consequences of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated to appreciate the repercussions of one poor choice."
The "Steel Warriors" returned from a deployment to the United Arab Emirates earlier this year. Following block leave, they are now just getting back into the mode of Army life [in garrison] and the stresses that come with such responsibility.
This made the Friday final formation presentation a perfect opportunity to remind everyone the standards that leaders holds them to.
"We are all one team here. Most of us don't find any joy in arresting Soldiers. If we see you leaving the bar with the keys in your hands, we are going to try to get to you before you get in that car," said Harter.
He added police officers may ask the intoxicated Soldier for his or her battle buddy's number and let him or her pick the keys up the following day.
"What the real kicker is, if you're out with a group and you think, 'We all need to get home,' then you have more friends to split the cab fare with. Spending an extra five dollars is [better than] the thousands you're going to lose if you are caught driving drunk," said Harter.
Sgt. Lymaris Ayala said NCOs frequently emphasize the effects of drinking and driving to Soldiers in formations, but bringing in a law enforcement professional further strengthens this point.
"To have the statistics and forewarnings presented by an expert on all of it was the best message we could have sent," said Ayala.
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