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ALCOHOL, ALCOHOLISM, AND THE AIR FORCE

    The following information is volunteered as a part of my learning process while a member of the Air Force and working with individuals and organizations within the Air Force. It is not intended to imply that all Air Force personnel have these conflicts. Further, that the Air Force or any other branch of the service is responsible for their personnel becoming alcoholic.

    The three factors which lead to addiction are usually well established prior to the individual’s entry into the military. Many individuals are a part of the Air Force because of positive motives rather than the result of impulsiveness in order to evade some type of preexisting problem. Because of the elapsed time since my retirement in 1961, many conditions have changed which has provided a more stable adjustment to the present military establishment.

    Prior to my enlistment, there was no burning desire to become a part of the military. In fact it was the least desirable choice. Because of the hopeless attitude on 9 December 1939, I acted on an impulse and joined the Army Air Corps. This was not without the aid of an alcoholic beverage. There was an immediate feeling of being imprisoned once I become sober but there was no way of undoing that which had been done. This imprisonment due to a signed contract was to last at least four years.

    An individual, in order to function adequately in the work force, should be free from the bondage created by emotional instability. I was unaware of the conflicts which prohibited me from feeling good. After a few days in the Army Air Corps, I was made painfully aware of the fact that there were several reasons why I had a completely hopeless feeling. Having no previous knowledge of life in the military I felt trapped. I had no inkling of how to cope with a set of circumstances which were a part of military tradition.

    In the Air Force as in any other career, the underlying goal is to feel good. Without accomplishing this, some individuals begin to look for alternatives. Those who do not feel good about themselves or their relationship with others, often search for an effective method to cope with anxiety and tension. I had the constant and painful feeling of depression and lacked the tools to experience the ordinary pleasures of life. Alcohol became a means to adjust to the Air Force and society.

    There was a need to be wanted and there is nothing more ominous than feeling rejected or a part of an impersonal and demanding lifestyle. I was born under circumstances, which seemed to preclude being wanted and loved in the family. The attitude in the Army Air Corps was an extension of that outlook. In the ensuing months and years. There were times when taking my own life was seriously considered, in fact there were some superficial attempts at doing just that.

    We are a success-oriented society. Seemingly our motive is to teach people how to succeed rather than to extract pleasure from life. We eulogize those who are successful and condemn those who give up and I had given up. I had nothing to show my ability to compete, be acceptable nor successful. I felt a complete failure and these powerful motivational tools to be a success were missing. I had no history to indicate that I had excelled in any undertaking and was not awarded any compliments or medals for my accomplishments. Not only was there a degree of self-punishment but I felt others recognized my shortcomings and acted accordingly. Although there was a need to fit into various groups and function as a team, the motivation and tools for this type endeavor was missing in my personality. I felt a sense of hopelessness upon enlisting in the Army Air Corps.

    Alcoholism is still a part of the Air Force and although not as severe as it was during my early years in the Army Air Corps it still poses problems to many personnel. A wealth of written material is available to substantiate the fact that military history is filled with stories about alcohol, its procurement, concealment and the various adventures associated with its use. I can recall those who did not drink were looked upon as odd and rarely invited to participate in social functions when alcohol was a part of the festivities.

    The major logistical problem at any social function was to determine the amount of beer and other intoxicating beverages needed to effectively serve each of those in attendance. Little or no consideration was given to the non-drinking participants. The availability of soft drinks at these social events was the exception rather than the rule.

    Almost every organization had professional drinkers, such as cooks, bakers, yardmen and latrine orderlies (or heads as they are known as in the Navy). Alcoholics seemed to migrate to these positions because of the ease with which they could drink and not get caught. These were the professional drinkers who become anesthetized on payday and remained so for several days until their finances were exhausted.

    Several factors contributed to the problem of alcoholism among military personnel. Most of these were unrecognized in my early career. There was a time when the genetic predisposition of the problem was rarely acknowledged as a contributing condition. Behavior was the basis for identifying the alcoholic. However, more and more studies reveal genetics as being the most important factor in the development of alcoholism. Alcoholism among parents led to a disruption in family life and some siblings sought a haven in the Air Force or another military service. They come into the military unaware of their genetic background being conducive to an alcoholic problem.

    Some sought to escape the devastating effects of a divorce, either by their parents or themselves. Others came from dysfunctional families or sought to escape the pain of poverty, A minor portion of those involved in the military have predisposed emotional problems. Another group came from a military family and chose to pursue the same careers, usually with a sense of pride rather than a means of escape.

    The attitude toward the excessive use of alcoholic beverages in the military has changed appreciably in the past few years. This change can be attributed partly to the altered requirements of military personnel. The demands for preparedness has increased and the introduction of more sophisticated weaponry and other equipment has created a need for more intelligent and stable personnel to operate them. I can appreciate being prepared because of the lack of such preparedness during the attack on Pearl Harbor. I did not have even a slingshot to defend myself.

    Many newly enlisted or commissioned personnel may not be accustomed to the discipline meted out in the military and others come from backgrounds where strict disciplinary measures were used in the family. If this was a part of their family history, more likely than not, there was an unconscious revolt against authority. This can pose as a major problem in military life. Suppressed anger due to the resentment of being forcibly required to perform certain tasks can cause one to have problems once they become involved in the use of alcoholic beverages. Because of the depressant action of alcohol many of these individuals often exhibit unacceptable behavior when they drink.

    At one tune military physicians hesitated to make the diagnosis of alcoholism particularly if it were an officer. An alternate diagnosis was used such as polyneuritic, acute gastritis, neurotic depressive reaction or admission for medical observation. Alcoholics were reluctant to discuss their problem because of the fear of being discharged. Due to the limited knowledge and resources of most physicians regarding alcoholism, they were often fooled by the alcoholic who learned of various means to camouflage their illness.

    Individuals in supervisory positions were slow to change their attitude toward the problem drinker and often responded subjectively because of their own drinking habits. "Why can’t this person drink like I do!’ "If they are weak willed or don’t care get rid of them." Few supervisors were aware of the compulsive nature of the problem and assumed that it was based on behavior rather than a disease.

    New technology calls for a more reliable and a functional military force. Leniency toward alcoholics has been drastically reduced. The negative circumstances which effect a unit’s mission is no longer tolerated in most cases and the alcoholic is confronted and referred for treatment.

    The once popular cliché, "Drink like a man" no longer prevails. As females became a part of the military, they too have alcoholic problems and are a part of the drinking component of the military and the reference to being a man is outmoded.

    Commanders now take a hard line stand against alcoholics. In the 1940’s it was almost impossible to determine the incidence of alcoholism in the military. It was considered "bad time" (time not counted toward retirement or completion of military requirement) if an alcoholic was hospitalized, thus attempts were made to cover the fact that the problem existed.

    Supervisors still have to suffer through all of the problems the alcoholic creates on the job and they are often less than sympathetic toward them. If a supervisor has an alcohol problem, they are often protected by their position in the organization. Higher-ranking personnel are also often protected until it becomes known to everyone that they had a drinking problem, and then their being salvaged is more the exception than the rule.

    For years there was an isolating stigma that existed which put the military alcoholic on par with the criminal. It was difficult for an individual to discuss this problem publicly because of the only reward was being punishment for disclosing it. As a hard drinker, the alcoholic was caught in the trap of rejection if they revealed the problem and emotional chaos if they abstained.

    When unofficial acceptance of heavy drinking coexisted with strongly punitive official policies, a situation arises which makes it impossible to determine the incidence of the problem. A cover-up of the valuable person when they are sober seemed to perpetuate the issue. Supervisors were reluctant to confront a productive alcoholic for fear of losing them. The condition was allowed to exist for many years and subsequently it was impossible to effectively assist them. The alternative was a discharge as being undesirable. Many a good military person was lost because of this policy.

    One must feel secure in order to lead a more productive life. The threat of being punished because of excessive drinking minimizes a feeling of security. The inability to resolve tension created by this insecurity often motivates a person to seek alternative methods to cope, such as the use of alcohol, drugs or deviate behavior.

    Our whole life evolves around the proficiency in being practical and acceptable in a group setting. Rarely is a person put in an isolated position. Almost every set of circumstances requires our interaction with others. It is virtually impossible to function in a vacuum. Some however operate in a partial vacuum and choose to participate only in groups where they feel comfortable. This substantiates the old, "Birds of a feather flock together" philosophy and troubled airmen seem to identify with others in a similar fashion.

    In the Air Force, team work is essential to the successful completion of most of it’s missions. When one airman is an alcoholic, they can become disruptive and affect the morale of the entire work force. Socialization with other personnel should provide favorable results in most cases. If one member of the team is not able to feel a part of the team the usual results are depression, rejection or anger.

    We are a success-oriented society and when an individual is less than successful due to their emotional problems, they are generally rejected by their peers. This reaction is extremely harmful to the personnel who are seeking to belong. When productivity is unacceptable, the alcoholic may turn to their peers for guidance but because of their behavior or lack of teamwork they are shunned.

    The program of Alcoholics Anonymous has had a profound effect on military personnel who became alcoholic and sought to overcome their problem. Participation in the program was once considered an admission that a problem existed and membership was guarded by the participant. The recognition of the benefits of the program and the endorsement of it by the Air Force has led to a decided increase in the number of personnel who are active in the program. Because of the anonymity of the program, individuals can participate without the involvement of the military. Isolated programs began to emerge, some even on military bases.

    None of the military programs looked back after 1972. Constant improvement in the treatment of the alcoholic evolved and today a military person can seek help without the major consequences previously imposed on those who sought assistance for their alcohol or drug dependence. With a heavy emphasis on discipline, the military is to be lauded for it’s change of policy in coping with this problem and thus providing a new way of life for military personnel in need of an empathic approach to solving their problem.

    These programs are available on almost every Air Force Base. Help for an alcohol problem can be obtained through medical channels, Social Actions, Family Services, Alcoholics Anonymous programs on many bases, and through participation in civilian Alcoholics Anonymous programs.

    Despite the availability of assistance, some are unwilling to admit that they are alcoholic. Alcohol has played a major role in the social life of a military alcoholic. The Officer’s, NCO and the Enlisted Clubs all provide an escape from the deprivation of a normal social life. Living in a somewhat closed society and often isolated because of many civilians. altitude toward military, these clubs become the major source of social intercourse. Alcoholic beverages are the social lubricant to insure that individuals can let their hair down and rid themselves of the pent-up anxieties associated with military discipline.

    The Air Force is different from civilian life in many ways. The major reason is the inability to separate duty time from off duty time. The saying "twenty-four hours an Airman or Officer" makes a person totally responsible for their actions on or off duty. Also, one is responsible for being called to duty when required and in physical or mental condition to perform whatever task they are called upon to perform. The excessive use of alcohol sometimes makes this impossible. Under these circumstances, discovery that an airman or officer has a drinking problem is more readily accomplished.

    The unmarried airman living on the base is faced with additional problems. If they return to their living quarters in an intoxicated state, they are more likely to become involved in some negative circumstances than those who live off the base.

    This also has a dynamic impact on the family residing in family quarters on the base. Air Force families are deeply involved in the discipline process, They are subjected to all of the regulations which are applicable to the military member of the family. In civilian life, a family can have difficulties which will never be disclosed to an employer. In the Air Force, living in a communal environment, almost every violation of family harmony is known to one’s organization. The possibility of the loss of rank, promotional opportunities and a career is possible when a family member violates Air Force policies and procedures including domestic violence.

    Another contributing factor toward alcoholism in the Air Force is the separation of families. Married airman and officers are often assigned to a temporary duty in another area. Being away from families may cause one to seek alternatives to cope with this absence. Alcoholic beverages often becomes the method of adjustment The absence from the family and lack of social life during this period lends itself toward migrating to the officer’s or enlisted clubs and alcohol becomes the means of minimizing the pain associated with family separations.

    Discipline is perhaps the most important part of Air Force life. Adherence to the disciplinary process is much more difficult if alcoholism is a problem. Being under the command of a person who is "rank happy" can create some untenable circumstances. Alcohol is often the medicine used to eliminate the tension associated with this situation. Overaggressive behavior can be the end result because alcohol as a depressant removes the inhibitions and permits a person to ventilate their feelings. The result of this type of behavior is usually negative and can lead to difficulty.

    As previously mentioned, many who become alcoholic have difficulty with authority. Some Airman are not aware of the strict discipline imposed upon the military person prior to their entry into the Air Force. They do not realize or accept the fact discipline is necessary to carry out the mission of the Air Force.

    Adjustment to military life by those who have a history of psychological problems or character disorders are not prime candidates for a military career. They are subjected to the scrutiny of military life and in most cases, cannot comply with the dictates of the military. In no way is the military responsible for the subsequent loss of these personnel particularly those who voluntarily enlist or in the case of officers, who are appointed to their position and rank.

    There is no intent to demean the Air Force in the story of my military life. I am deeply indebted to each and every member of the Air Force who assisted me in my recovery and permitted me to share it with others who were still suffering. Also, making schools and conferences available to better my education on the disease of alcoholism not only by the Air Force but as a civilian working for the Army and the Navy is truly appreciated. Chapter 8

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