Responsible Drinking

W/O Keith Gell
Warrant Officer of the Air Force

It’s not the drinking that’s the problem, it’s how we are drinking.

Every time I get into a discussion about drinking, in particular drinking habits, everyone points the finger at our junior personnel. And if one watches the news headlines it is easy to draw hasty conclusions. Teenage binge drinking coupled with drink driving always grabs the headlines. However I believe that the focus in our Air Force needs to be spread across all generations, in particular the older and middle aged folk in our organisation. It is this group that sets the example for our younger generation.

The Base Warrant Officers are telling me that our junior personnel are, in fact, the big improvers in drinking habits. This is good news, so we also need to start thinking about our leadership roles in other areas like the Officers and SNCOs Messes, sports clubs, social clubs and other areas where we socialise. It’s not about taking away the fun, it’s about choice and it’s about responsible behaviour.

The national campaign I see on the TV is, in fact, aimed at the older generation. It makes sense to me because it is about being an example.

What happened twenty years ago is no longer relevant. We have to be cognisant of this. The war stories we tell also have to be contained. If you start telling stories about your drinking escapades, guess what, some people may take this as acceptable and follow suit.

Another area I want to highlight also is ‘skins sessions’. I have been on a few sports trips in my youth where these sessions were the norm. They involved initiations and were designed to humiliate you more than anything else. It’s time to change this and it is good to see some sports codes getting on board with this. Support in the Service is about celebration not humiliation.

Our recruits are now being educated on responsible drinking which is backed up by policy. This is good news and it needs to continue. What leadership at all level needs to do is ensure us older folk are being educated also. Where we can help is be an example. I enjoy a beer and will continue to do so, but I know when to stop and I know that drinking to excess serves no purpose. Take the time to have a look around you and gauge what you see. Christmas celebrations are coming up and this is always a good time to make observations and provide leadership. Remember it’s not the drinking that’s the problem, it’s how we drink.