Organizations to stand down for January Challenge

  • Published
  • By John Ingle
  • 82nd Training Wng Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Organizations across Sheppard will stand down for about two hours Jan. 18 in an effort to bring safety back to the forefront of the minds of Team Sheppard members.

James Zillweger, the 82nd Training Wing chief of safety, said this year's January Challenge was originally planned for flying units only. However, he said Brig. Gen. Richard Devereaux, commander of the 82nd TRW, said non-flying units need the down time, too, to re-energize their efforts regarding overall safety and alcohol-related incidents specifically.

Mr. Zillweger said alcohol-related episodes are at their highest following the holiday season. He said a recent spike in DUI-related incidents within the last couple months has spurred on a year-long focus on DUI prevention.

"We have a lot of young people here," he said. "When they go home for the holidays, some go back to their old mindset. This will help get them back to the Sheppard mindset."

The safety office, at the direction of General Devereaux, has implemented the 0-0-3 concept: Zero drinks if underage; zero drinks if driving; and no more than three drinks even with a plan. The thought is to compel base personnel to reduce and even prevent alcohol-related incidents.

The first portion of the January Challenge is a recommended commander's call, to include or followed by traffic safety and DUI prevention briefings and a mandatory questionnaire.

Small group discussions will follow the mandatory briefings. Topics may include, but are not limited to, operational risk management, personal risk management, personal mishap testimonials and taking care of wingmen.

Commanders are also required to turn in an after action report to the safety office that outlines the discussed topics, new initiatives that came out of the January Challenge and lessons learned.

Mr. Zillweger said any and all safety information produced or distributed can be found by visiting the Safety Office's Web page on the portal. Only Department of Defense employees can access the portal.