Alcohol-related incidents trigger coming changes

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Stuart Camp
  • 16th SOW Public Affairs
Seven alcohol-related incidents last weekend triggered a chain of events that will result in Hurlburt Field’s policy being changed.

Col. Norman J. Brozenick Jr., 16th Special Operations Wing commander, is considering aggressive measures to rein in the number of people being caught drinking underage or driving under the influence of alcohol. Both of which are part of his “no fly zone.”
“Seven incidents in one weekend is totally unacceptable,” he said Wednesday during the 16th SOW staff meeting. “We need Airmen to accept that they should be responsible and that there are alternatives to getting blasted.”

A list of seven recommendations was recently given to the wing commander from the Alcohol Problem Prevention Team, led by Lt. Col. David Reese, 16th Contracting Squadron commander.

“Our most controversial recommendation is to move to ‘dry’ dorms,” Colonel Reese said.
He explained this might mean moving Airmen over 21 years old into another dorm or part of a dorm away from those Airmen under the drinking age. Another recommendation is to offer more alcohol-free activities, including a reformatting of the current recreation center into an alcohol-free place where Airman can hang out.

There have been 29 alcohol-related incidents, including 16 DUIs, this year.