Direct Line

Direct Line

Chief Master-at-Arms Andre Billingsley & Aviation Electronics Technician Senior Chief Terry Roberts

Buongiorno Sigonella! Summer has arrived in full force, and with it, all the fun and social opportunities, as well. With the season, though, comes more opportunities to drink alcohol and drive impaired. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that nearly twice the number of individuals are killed in alcoholrelated crashes during the summer months than at all other times of year combined. It is important that all service members stay vigilant about never drinking and driving, and making sure our shipmates and family members are being responsible, too.

To help make it easier for you to make the right decision when it comes to drinking and driving, the NAS Sigonella Area Chief Petty Officer Association has established the “Arrive Alive” program to help service members who may be in need of a safe ride home.

Imagine having a night out with friends and either you or the person who was supposed to drive you home finds themselves in a position where they are unable to drive. All you have to do is pull out your handy Arrive Alive card and call one of the three numbers provided. Within minutes, a command-approved taxi will be deployed to your location and provide you a safe ride home. All the driver needs is your military I.D. to accurately record your name. These command-approved services also have base access so you will get door-to-door service to NAS I, NAS II, or Marinai. Upon arrival, you don’t have to pay a dime. It is recommended to tip your driver, but even that is not required. The Chiefs have your back, we cover the fare up front. Now to explain an important distinction, this isn’t a free ride home on the Chief Petty Officers’ Mess. This is essentially a loan. The driver will ask for your name and which command you are with, and then the driver will contact the CPOA for reimbursement. The CPOA will then reach out to you so you can reimburse the organization. We’ll give you plenty of time to get your payment together; you have 30 days to reimburse the CPOA.

Arrive Alive rides also cover scenarios in which your vehicle breaks down or you end up in some other unfortunate situation that strands you. In case you don’t already have an Arrive Alive wallet card, here are the three command-approved drivers if you get stuck in a bind. Rosario: + 39 3498225261 Giuseppe: + 39 3929347321 Tony: + 39 3394986032

Aside from making sure you are making good driving decisions, remember that there are many base resources to take advantage of if you think you are struggling with an alcohol problem. Living abroad is full of many added stressors and we don’t have our normal support networks. Make your time in Sigonella a positive experience filled with lifelong memories of travel and seeing the world, but don’t let substance misuse rob you of these memories.

If you find yourself struggling with substance use or misuse, there is help available. Your command Drug and Alcohol Program Advisor is there to assist you in getting help. A selfreferral to the Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program is also a way for you to get assistance before alcohol starts to negatively affect you. SARP is available to all military personnel, DoD civilians, NATO personnel, and dependents over the age of 18. For assistance, contact your command DAPA or the SARP Clinic at DSN 624- 6092 / COMM 095-86-6092. It is also located on the 2nd Floor of the Flight Line Clinic on NAS II.

Enjoy the summer, Sigonella, and remember to be safe about it! The mission depends on it, and we are here to help.