Fort Bliss Monitor

Wilson A. Rivera

WLC Soldiers check out the demolished car that is located just inside Cassidy Gate. It is there to remind Soldiers of the consequences of drinking and driving.

WLC Soldiers take crash course in DUI awareness

Sgt. 1st Class Reginald Rogers
Army News Service

Because the number one source of privately owned vehicle accidents in the Army is alcohol related, the Noncommissioned Officer Academy is training sergeants, the Army’s first line leaders, on the awareness of driving under the influence.

NCOs taking the Warrior Leader Course face more responsibility for their actions, as well as the Soldiers they are in care of. With intent to ensure these NCOs understand their challenge, the NCO Academy has ventured away from the classroom safety brief to up-close and personal insight of an actual crashed vehicle.

Previously wrecked vehicles have been placed near the entrance of Cassidy Gate for motorists to see the aftermath of a DUI accident. A blue, four-door passenger car displayed the result of a crash where two civilians had died on El Paso’s streets.

“The car is a good example,” said Sgt. Robert Alderman, 72nd Military Police Detachment. “[The car crash] lets [NCOs] see what can happen and are also shown pictures from accidents that occurred on post.”
After a discussion about the use of alcohol, drugs and prescribed medication, NCOs split up into smaller groups to use specially designed goggles that simulate alcohol impairment and then were able to view the inside and outside damage of a totalled car.

The statistical numbers of DUI accidents don’t lie, and the intent of the NCO Academy is for NCOs to clearly understand and implement the Army Safety Campaign at the lowest level of command, according to Command Sgt. Maj. Lee G. Handy, commandant of the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery NCO Academy.

Squad-level leaders, sergeants, are the NCOs who see what’s happening with Soldiers because they reside in the same barracks and go to the same clubs as their Soldiers do. Sergeants have a better view of what Soldiers are up to than do the platoon leaders and commanders, according to Handy. A squad leader is not the only one having to ask themselves why they lost a life, families and friends are affected too.

“Once a person is dead, that’s it. You can’t come back and say I’m sorry,” said Handy
If words can’t describe it in a formal briefing, Sgt. Jamara Cromwell, 72nd MP Det., hopes that the graphic images will do justice for Soldiers and make them think about their actions.

“Hopefully, it does sink in,” said Alderman. “They could tell its that big of a deal … [and] for any unit, it’s a great idea to bring their Soldiers out to see the car and what does happen. Statistics don’t lie, they tell the facts.”



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	July 20, 2006

	Wilson A. Rivera WLC Soldiers check out the demolished car that is located just inside Cassidy Gate. It is there to remind Soldiers of the consequences of drinking and driving. WLC Soldiers take crash course in DUI awareness Sgt. 1st Class Reginald Rogers Army News Service Because the number one source of privately owned vehicle accidents in the Army is alcohol related, the Noncommissioned Officer Academy is training sergeants, the Army’s first line leaders, on the awareness of driving under the influence. NCOs taking the Warrior Leader Course face more responsibility for their actions, as well as the Soldiers they are in care of. With intent to ensure these NCOs understand their challenge, the NCO Academy has ventured away from the classroom safety brief to up-close and personal insight of an actual crashed vehicle. Previously wrecked vehicles have been placed near the entrance of Cassidy Gate for motorists to see the aftermath of a DUI accident. A blue, four-door passenger car displayed the result of a crash where two civilians had died on El Paso’s streets. “The car is a good example,” said Sgt. Robert Alderman, 72nd Military Police Detachment. “[The car crash] lets [NCOs] see what can happen and are also shown pictures from accidents that occurred on post.” After a discussion about the use of alcohol, drugs and prescribed medication, NCOs split up into smaller groups to use specially designed goggles that simulate alcohol impairment and then were able to view the inside and outside damage of a totalled car. The statistical numbers of DUI accidents don’t lie, and the intent of the NCO Academy is for NCOs to clearly understand and implement the Army Safety Campaign at the lowest level of command, according to Command Sgt. Maj. Lee G. Handy, commandant of the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery NCO Academy. Squad-level leaders, sergeants, are the NCOs who see what’s happening with Soldiers because they reside in the same barracks and go to the same clubs as their Soldiers do. Sergeants have a better view of what Soldiers are up to than do the platoon leaders and commanders, according to Handy. A squad leader is not the only one having to ask themselves why they lost a life, families and friends are affected too. “Once a person is dead, that’s it. You can’t come back and say I’m sorry,” said Handy If words can’t describe it in a formal briefing, Sgt. Jamara Cromwell, 72nd MP Det., hopes that the graphic images will do justice for Soldiers and make them think about their actions. “Hopefully, it does sink in,” said Alderman. “They could tell its that big of a deal … [and] for any unit, it’s a great idea to bring their Soldiers out to see the car and what does happen. Statistics don’t lie, they tell the facts.”