Airman's experience underscores career cost of drinking, driving

Published Aug. 17, 2011
By Steve Pivnick
81st Medical Group Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Six months ago, Senior Airman Steven Guerrero was Staff Sergeant Guerrero. Then he had a serious lapse of judgment and was stopped for driving under the influence of alcohol.

The noncommissioned officer in charge of the 81st Diagnostics and Therapeutics Squadron radiation oncology department recalled his life prior to and since being stopped by an 81st Security Forces Squadron patrol on March 3.

"I was selected to train on the (computed tomography) scan equipment within six months of arriving at Keesler," he said. "Then I made staff sergeant the first time I tested. I always ensured I concentrated on core values on duty. Unfortunately, this wasn't the case after duty hours. I felt everything was going my way. I felt invincible and that I could do no wrong."

Then things went terribly wrong.

"I had some drinks at the event center after work," he explained. "Afterwards, I went to a co-worker's on-base residence and had a couple more. By the end of the night, I decided it was time to head home. My friend offered to let me stay the night but I refused. I insisted I could drive and told him I would text him when I got home. I never did text him -- the security forces pulled me over and busted me for a DUI.

"I remember sitting in the holding cell waiting for the 'Shirt' to pick me up. And while I was waiting, I prayed for God to help me, but God didn't help me that night. I continued to be in denial the entire weekend, dreading having to see my co-workers who would know their NCOIC got hit with a DUI."

Guerrero continued, "The next day came and what I had hoped was a dream was just the opposite. I woke up to a phone call from my supervisor telling me to put on my service-dress uniform because we were going to the wing. I received an a**-chewing from the wing commander and command chief. But that wasn't the end of it. I still had to await the consequences of my actions. Weeks went by without a word and I had no idea what to expect. So I had to assume the worst -- that I would be separating in 90 days.

"Then I had my commander's verdict. As a result of my lapse of judgment, I was 'busted' down to senior airman, received an Article 15 -- which included an unfavorable information file -- and had to serve 10 days extra duty. Fortunately, I wasn't placed on the control roster, which probably salvaged my career. At the time, the Air Force was still conducting 'roll backs' and anyone placed on the control roster most likely would be separated from the service."

He observed, "Fortunately I'm still here and have a career. I thank everyone who supported me because I know they didn't have too. They could have decided to kick me out and I wouldn't blame them if they had.

"This has been one of the hardest lessons I ever had to learn. Normally, if given the chance, I would do everything the same way twice. But not this: I'd give everything to take it back if I could." Guerrero said, "I realize it's not worth risking your life or career over an alcohol-related incident. I'm just glad I didn't injure or kill anyone or myself or lose my career because of this. And when I was an NCO, I always told my troops not to drink and drive, but I went and did it myself. That's not right.

"Alcohol-related incidents are so easy to avoid. Why does it always take something bad to happen before we decide to change the way we live?"

Wanting to share what he has learned from his DUI, Guerrero stated, "If you drink, don't drive, and if you're under age, you shouldn't be drinking in the first place. I witnessed underage drinking and many DUIs here and was convinced I was never going to be caught. But I did get caught. If it happened to me, it could easily happen to anyone. If I can convince at least one person to change their drinking habits, then I know I did my job."

Airman’s experience underscores career cost of drinking, driving