Airmen A2D2 volunteers save lives Published April 15, 2015 By Master Sgt. Michael Voss 42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- We have all heard the messages ... "If you are going to drink, have a plan." "Driving drunk can cost you more than a career." Each year, Airmen are exposed to briefings from supervisors and Airman Against Drunk Driving volunteers emphasizing the need to have a plan when going out on the town. "Call us and we will come take you home, no questions asked," is the common message. So some leaders are left wondering why there are still stories of Airmen who lose rank, careers, families and much more. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drunk driving costs the United States $199 billion a year, and every day 28 people die as a result of drunk driving crashes. In 2013, 290,000 people were injured in drunk driving crashes and 10,076 died in drunk driving crashes--one every 52 minutes. To combat these staggering statistics, Airman Against Drunk Driving, also known as A2D2, was formed to eliminate the number of driving under the influence violations on Air Force bases and in surrounding communities. The program's goal is to eliminate future alcohol-related driving incidents by providing military members a method of transportation without using chain of command and without fear of repercussion. At Maxwell, A2D2 has registered 203 volunteer members, with approximately 180 semi-active volunteers, to date. Since its inception in early 2012, Maxwell-Gunter's A2D2 program has brought home 178 service members safe and sound. "I volunteer with A2D2 because I believe it truly saves people's careers," said Staff Sgt. Rolfy Caceres, 42nd Contracting Squadron technician and longtime A2D2 volunteer. "I have personally seen people's careers affected for getting a DUI and wanted to help prevent that anyway that I could." Every A2D2 volunteer is focused on the goal of preventing DUIs while maintaining the relationship with senior base leadership. "Our volunteers come from all units, everywhere," said 1st Lt. Shane Boulware, 42nd Contracting Squadron base sustainment flight officer in charge and former Maxwell-Gunter AADD president. "Selfless volunteers do a great job of ensuring all our units are well represented. We even have volunteers who come from the in-resident students of Squadron Officer College, Air Command and Staff College, and the Air War College." Organizers provide briefings and presentations to the base units and within the community to keep awareness of A2D2 and how their efforts make an instant impact on lives. "I volunteer with A2D2 because I can see the immediate impact," said Boulware. "When someone calls, you can help them right then and there. I figured if I'm going to help an organization, it might as well be for an organization that could potentially save a fellow service member's life or career." Here are some notable Maxwell-Gunter A2D2 volunteers. --Senior Airman Dalton Kirby has led the charge with 47 saves since he started volunteering in the 4th quarter of 2013. --Senior Airman Vincent Glenn-Stone has made 28 saves since he started volunteering in the 4th quarter of 2013. --Senior Airman Christopher Snowden has made seven saves during the first quarter of 2015 alone. --Capt. Nicole Stanley has devoted 2,652 hours as the on-call flight chief, and she is credited with 22 saves.