DAADD: best in Air Force

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Shen-Chia Chu
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The Dover Airman Against Drunk Driving organization was recently named an Air Force Best Practice.

Though this kind of program exists throughout the Air Force, Dover has enhanced its program through its web-based program and integration of command post to help save lives.

"DAADD volunteers safeguard the Dover Air Force Base community by offering rides to Team Dover members and their families that have found themselves in an unforeseen situation which interferes with their ability to return home safely due to alcohol consumption," said Senior Airman Robert Bentley, 436th Communications Squadron and current webmaster for DAADD.

The idea to put forth DAADD as a best practice started simply enough, said Master Sgt. Jason Kalinowski, 436th Medical Group First Sergeant and mentor of the program.

"Our program was briefed and validated during the 2008 Installation Excellence Selection Board visit in January, but as we were developing and finalizing the briefing, we realized we had something special right in front of us," said Sergeant Kalinowski. "It all happened very quickly. We submitted the paperwork and a few days later we were approved as the best!"

DAADD is a best practice because it provides reliable transportation for Airmen who need a ride to return safely home or to the base through command post.

"The 436th Airlift Wing command post acts as a 24-hour dispatching operation for the program to ensure safety and accountability of the volunteers who support the program," said Airman Bentley. "It's about Airmen helping Airmen, the wingman concept of watching out for one another."

"No Shirt wants to see their Airmen make the wrong decisions and lose their lives and with the help of dedicated volunteers, they devote just a few hours of their time to look after the lives of those supporting the mission," said Master Sgt. Robert Perrin, 436th Civil Engineer Squadron first sergeant.

"If you've had one too many to drink and you need a ride, DAADD will come and pick you up," he said.