The armed services have been trying to discourage alcohol use for at least the past 20 years, if not longer. In truth, sometimes I think they go to far in that respect.<\/p>\n
Regardless, it’s policy – and excessive alcohol consumption isn’t generally a behavior that should be encouraged.\u00a0 But there are still people out there who don\u2019t seem to \u201cget the word\u201d.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, sometimes those folks are relatively senior. Like the former 20th Air Force Commander<\/a><\/em>, for example.<\/p>\n And, it turns out, like the Director for Strategy, Policy, Capabilities, and Logistics at TRANSCOM \u2013 RADM David Baucom. Apparently he was removed from his position in October for what amounts to \u201cdrunk and disorderly\u201d while TDY on the night of 7-8 April of this year.<\/p>\n I\u2019m not going to go into the details of the \u201cdrunk and disorderly\u201d here.\u00a0 This Navy Times article on the subject does so<\/a><\/em>; read it if you’re interested.\u00a0 Suffice it to say that the details are rather . . . unusual.<\/p>\n RADM Baucom has issued a statement blaming his conduct on a medical condition occurring on \u201cthe evening of April 8th which caused lightheadedness, disorientation, dizziness and confusion.\u201d Other indications are he may have mixed prescription medicine with drinking.<\/p>\n However, a Navy investigation found that RADM Baucom had consumed all or part of at least 8 drinks<\/em> that evening. It seems to me that, according to this blood alcohol concentration (BAC) chart<\/a>, that would yield a BAC of 0.11 in a 180-lb man four hours after he\u2019d begun drinking<\/em> (0.17 \u2013 6 x 0.01). If he drank more than 8 drinks, that would have yielded an even higher BAC.<\/p>\n Sorry, RADM; I can\u2019t say I have very much sympathy.\u00a0 A drink or 3 at an official function or conference is one thing; eight or more<\/span> seems rather excessive.\u00a0 Someone of your seniority should know that.\u00a0 Ditto for knowing that mixing prescription drugs and alcohol is a fool\u2019s game.\u00a0 Either way, you should damn well have known better.<\/p>\n At least you’ll get to keep your retirement.\u00a0 It could have been worse.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"