Living a responsible life by making responsible choices

  • Published
  • By Joe B. Wiles
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  A Culture of Responsible Choices is much more than attempts to prevent drunk driving, said Chaplain (Capt.) Zachary Nash, Vance's CoRC champion. "It is a way to live a responsible life." 

CoRC began as an Air Force initiative to combat drunk driving. The most recognized part of the initiative is "0-0-1-3," representing zero underage drinking, zero DUIs, one drink per hour and three drinks maximum per night. 

"Once you get the 0-0-1-3 message out, if you leave it at that, you've missed the mark," said Chaplain Nash. "We need to think of CoRC in the same light as operational risk management. Then it becomes more pervasive in a person's life." 

Responsible drinking does have a place in Vance's CoRC efforts. "We put our first sergeants at the gates before a holiday weekend to pass out CoRC information to help folks have a good time without an alcohol incident," said Chaplain Nash. 

On the CoRC card is Safe Ride information. Safe Ride is a cooperation between local taxi companies and Vance first sergeants, where if an Airman finds himself out of money and unable to safely drive due to alcohol consumption, he can call a cab, present the Safe Ride card and be taken directly home. The taxi fare is reimbursed by the first sergeants. 

Also part of the CoRC card is Vance's Airmen Against Drunk Driving. A volunteer organization, VAADD offers free rides home for those who can't safely drive themselves due to excess drinking. Enlisted can call 514-4663 and officers can call 514-7433.
"If all else fails, call the Command Post, 213-7384," said Chaplain Nash. "Anything is better than getting behind the wheel when you've had too much to drink and harming yourself or others." 

Chaplain Nash would prefer to turn the clock back to before you leave the house. "The basic things we try to teach in CoRC are: if you have a wingman and you are a wingman, and you have a plan that you follow, then your chances of having a good time and returning home safely are pretty high," he said. 

But CoRC has a place in all phases of your life, said Chaplain Nash. "Your personal finances, family relationships and spiritual relationship all benefit when you make responsible choices." When those responsible choices become a life-style, then CoRC has accomplished its mission, he said. 

Making a responsible choice requires an alternative to bad choices. Monty's is one such alternative. It is a non-alcohol smoke-free center located in the Community Chapel Activity Center, Bldg. 528. Monty's is for enlisted Airmen only. 

Named after the two Airmen who initially organized the center, Staff Sgt. Terrell "T" Smith and Senior Airman Monica Tripi (Mon-Te), Monty's has a kitchen, pool table, video games, and a large screen television that is currently featuring the Sunday "NFL Ticket".
"A cultural of responsible choices is designed for awareness," said Chaplain Nash. "It is a way to live a responsible life by making responsible choices. 

"We need to instill in people's lives that there is not a 'work me' and a ' off-work me.' Once you have crossed that blue line, you represent the Air Force both on-duty and off. There shouldn't be a different standard or ethic depending on what you're wearing," he said. 

Chaplain Nash points to the Air Force Core Values as the essence of CoRC. "Integrity is who you are. Service before self is what you do. Excellence is the by-product of the two," he said.