DUIs and ARIs: A matter of discipline Published May 18, 2012 By Lt. Col. Jeremy Weber 30th Space Wing staff judge advocate VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In Afghanistan, a handful of service members have hurt America's strategic interests through incidents of gross misconduct, such as urinating on Taliban, burning Korans, and allegedly massacring villagers. Meanwhile, Vandenberg is responding to an increase in DUIs and alcohol-related incidents (ARIs). Despite increased focus on the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption and mixing drinking and driving, Vandenberg continues to experience DUIs and ARIs. It would be too great a stretch to fully equate an Airman's DUI with high-profile war crimes, but the effects are the same. Both types of incidents stain the image of the U.S. military, divert attention from the military's mission, and place lives at risk. The cause of both situations is also the same - a fundamental lack of discipline by the members involved. The Afghanistan incidents have caused military leaders to place a renewed focus on discipline. The Marine Corps Commandant wrote a direct letter to his commanders, stating that the Marine Corps is "allowing our standards to erode." Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta has warned that the episodes involve a few military members who "lack judgment, lack professionalism, lack leadership." A New York Times article stated that the incidents in Afghanistan have "intensified questions within the military community about whether fundamental discipline is breaking down." The same debate should resound at Vandenberg. DUIs and ARIs, like all misconduct, is primarily a product of a lack of discipline. Otherwise disciplined Airmen generally do not commit alcohol-related misconduct, because they have the self-control necessary to know and respect their limits. There are always reasons that contribute to an Airman's criminal conduct, be they vocational, financial, or relational. However, everyone has stressors. Most of us do not channel our hardships into alcohol-fueled misconduct because discipline has been installed in us through our parents and mentors, experiences, character, and military training. Most Airmen resist the temptation to resort to destructive practices because they have developed the discipline to find healthier outlets instead of the easy out. If a lack of discipline is the root cause of Vandenberg's DUI and ARI problem, then the antidotes are the same two that they are in Afghanistan: deterrence and leadership. The military justice system exists to further the commander's imperative of maintaining good order and discipline. It does this by imposing punishment on offenders so as to deter the offender and others from committing similar misconduct. Our office, as always, stands ready to assist commanders in establishing a culture that resoundingly declares that misconduct - especially dangerous alcohol-related misconduct - is not acceptable. Deterrence by itself, however, is not enough. Leadership at the junior officer, senior NCO, NCO, and supervisor levels is critical if Vandenberg is to right the ship on alcohol-related misconduct. Andrew Exum, defense policy analyst, Columbia University instructor, and former Army Ranger, recognized this in the Afghanistan context. He stated, "Some of these incidents certainly seem to be the fault of a breakdown in leadership at the small-unit level. Where was the sergeant who is supposed to say: 'Stop, boys. We don't do that. We don't disrespect the dead'? " When one of our Airmen commits alcohol-related misconduct, we should ask ourselves similar questions. It's one thing to use alcohol responsibly as one part of an overall response to life's stressors. It's quite another thing to abuse alcohol and then endanger others through criminal behavior. When the latter occurs, are we asking where the supervisors, NCOs, senior NCOs and junior officers were? Were they instilling discipline, spreading a message that alcohol-related misconduct has no place in our Air Force? Or were they - like some in Afghanistan - idly standing by and letting discipline erode? Discipline doesn't just happen by itself. It's the most fundamental obligation of commanders, first sergeants, and leaders at all levels. It's what makes us different from the society around us. It is, in the words of George Washington, "the soul of an army," a necessity to an effective war-fighting force. The installation commander has graciously extended this wing a second "30 for 30" challenge. Let us use this second chance to look inward and ask if we are creating a climate of good order and discipline necessary to create real, lasting change.