Underage drinking in the Air Force

Underage drinking in the Air Force

How do I say this…? Umm… DO NOT drink if you are underage!

It seems like common sense… But, it happens quite often actually. If you get caught you WILL get have serious consequences and could even get discharged from the Air Force and that would be a really big disappointment for you, your friends, and your family. This sadly happens quite often at Tech School and in the operational Air Force. 

Those who get caught drinking underage can cause their entire squadron to be placed on lock down and miss out on weekends while being stuck in uniform 24/7 while in Tech School. This happened my last week I was at Tech School. An airman who was 2 weeks away from graduating got caught underage drinking. They required our entire Tech School to go back onto Phase 1 or ITP meaning everyone had to be in uniform at all times. Not riding in or driving vehicles or going off base. The airman who got caught ended up being kicked out of the Air Force. Everyone who had friends/family visiting that weekend now had to have their friends or family meet them on base and could only hangout at the BX or bowling ally.

At your duty station they can also require the entire squadron to go dry. When I was stationed in Japan this happened to us for 3 months. We have multiple weekends in a row with Airmen getting DUIs. Our commander said no one in our squadron could drink for 2 weeks. However, the next 2 weekends we had Airmen in our squadron get DUIs. Stupid right? Well because of that, they extended the order to stay dry indefinitely and it ended up lasting for 3 months.

Does group punishment work? That’s up for debate, but the Air Force many times uses it as their tool to fix issues. Don’t drink underage, and if you are of age, don’t drink and drive. Always have a plan, be smart, and be safe.

DON'T BE THAT PERSON!

For yourself and others, please do not drink if you are underage in Tech School or at any point of your career. It's simply not worth the consequences. And whether you are of age or not, never drink and drive!