Posted on: Wednesday, September 8, 2004

Hickam issues new alcohol rules

By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer

Alcohol use in dormitories at Hickam Air Force Base was restricted last month to in-room use in an attempt to reduce the number of sexual assaults that have occurred there in recent years.

The policy ordered by Col. Raymond G. Torres, commander of the 15th Airlift Wing at Hickam, was in response to a study last year that found 92 rape allegation cases at the Air Force's major installations in and around the Pacific. Eleven of the cases were reported at Hickam between 2001 and 2003.

"Dormitory incidents of assault, damage to government property and underage drinking will not be tolerated at our bases, nor in our dormitories," Torres said in a memo to his commanders. "There is a clear link between these incidents and the use of alcohol."

The study found that alcohol was a factor in 60 percent of the cases studied.

Until the Aug. 1 memo, the only limit on drinking in the dorms was that an airman had to be of legal age. They could drink anywhere they wanted, however.

Now dorm residents are only allowed to drink within their rooms, assuming they are of legal drinking age. Also, only those of legal age can be present in a room where alcohol is being consumed.

Hickam has six co-ed dormitories with a population of 700 men and women. Single airmen, from basic to senior airman must live in the dorm if they have less than three years of service. Many are 18 to 21 years old.

In his memo, Torres stressed the importance of safety to the men and women serving in the Air Force.

"As we ask them to perform at the highest levels, time and again they meet and exceed our requests and expectations," he said. "In return we owe them the safety and security in their homes, our dormitories to relax and regenerate."

Reach Mike Gordon at mgordon@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8012.