as regards sobriety testing... i'll share a little military story, short and sweet.
an e-7 stopped one of my e-4s on duty, and said (in the presence of witnesses) that he smelled alcohol. he called me, as the e-4's immediate supe, and asked me if i smelled alcohol on the airman. i said i did not, to which the e-7 replied that i must 'have a cold or something'. he told the e-4 that 'because it was the holidays', he would let him go back to duty ON MY RESPONSIBILITY, and left immediately, looking satisfied with himself.
FIVE other people heard this, and soon other units heard about the 'drunk airman from ** squadron, and the MSgt who let him off'.
i complained, and made it standing policy in my area of responsibility: if there is ANY allegation of impropriety or impairment, EVER, there WILL be insistence on a breathalizer/ blood test. i personally have undergone a blood draw to PROVE my sobriety, KNOWING i had not been drinking. later is too late; an allegation made can't be proven, but it can't be disproven or unsaid, unmade, or withdrawn from circulation after the fact, either.
had it been me, i would have DEMANDED the breathalyzer/ pee cup. had it been in my authority to demand it of ANYONE ELSE, i would've- not proving sobriety is a disservice to the falsely accused. not proving drunkeness is a miscarriage of justice.
alcohol and guns do not mix.
