FORT CARSON, Colo. -- As waves of Soldiers come home from Iraq and Afghanistan, commanders at Fort Carson have redoubled their efforts to encourage Soldiers and Family members not to drink and drive.
"We want to remind Soldiers to carpool and use designated drivers," said Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. James A. Kilpatrick. "Use a taxi service, use the chain of command."
There are several resources available for Soldiers who have had a few too many.
"We have a courtesy patrol with the Colorado Springs Police Department," Kilpatrick said. "We have teams that go out and look for Soldiers who have had too much to drink and they drive them home."
Sgt. Jeff Strossner of the Colorado Springs Police Department said the goal of the courtesy patrol is to minimize the stress on Soldiers.
"We know they are just getting home and reintegrating with their Family and garrison life," Strossner said.
"We're a visual deterrent," said Capt. Samuel Wright, the officer in charge for the courtesy patrol. "We patrol the Tejon entertainment district. We see these guys coming out of the bar and we approach them and say, 'How are you getting home tonight''"
Wright said the patrollers help Soldiers, civilians and Family members coordinate rides home with Family, friends and taxi services.
"We're definitely not babysitting," Wright said. "We're there to provide safe rides."
Wright said the courtesy patrol gives an average of 100 rides each month and crime in the area has dropped by 80 percent.
"The goal is to provide a positive community environment," Wright said. "We know these guys are just getting back. We want them to have a good time and have a safe ride home."
Last year Fort Carson Police charged 101 Soldiers with driving under the influence on post. From Jan. 1-Tuesday, 16 have been charged.
Kilpatrick warned that driving while intoxicated carries heavy punishments - both in the military and civilian courts.
"If you're caught on post, you can be issued a suspension of driving privileges," Kilpatrick said. "You won't be able to drive on post. (A Family member who is issued a DUI can't drive on post either.) If you get caught a second time, two years will be added to that suspension."
Kilpatrick said Soldiers who are caught driving under the influence could face charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice and chapter command. He also said a conviction could affect promotions, awards and entrance to schools for specialized training.
Jordan Peters, a former Fort Carson Soldier, was sentenced to 10 years confinement Jan. 29 for an alcohol-related accident that killed two Soldiers.
The Colorado Department of Transportation puts the cost of a first DUI at $10,270, which includes fees for detoxification, alcohol education classes and license reinstatement.
Even members in the civilian community have noticed the correlation between Soldiers and DUIs, and have offered their assistance.
"It doesn't make any sense to me that these guys go over there and fight for me and then they come back here and die because of a poor choice," said Nonie Rispin, founder of Designated Driver of Colorado Springs, a local nonprofit that provides rides to Soldiers and civilians who have had too much to drink.
Rispin started the community-sponsored service two years ago after her cousin was killed by a drunk driver.
"These guys are coming home and, after they've been what they've been through, they probably want to have a couple of drinks," said Rispin, who has provided more than 4,000 rides to Soldiers.
Rispin's volunteer drivers, 90 percent of whom are Soldiers, pick up intoxicated patrons and drive them and their car home.
"A lot of people say you're doing a great thing but you can't save everybody," Rispin said. "The logical side of me knows I can't save everybody, but it doesn't make it any easier on my heart."
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