The U.S. Army recently reported on volunteers with the Fort Leonard Wood chapter of the Drunk Driving Prevention Program (DDPP). The nonprofit group gives free rides so service members, their families and their vehicles can get home safely. For junior NCOs, the story shows how one ride can stop a bad decision from becoming a tragedy.
The chapter was reestablished in November 2024 with a goal of reducing alcohol-related incidents. According to the article, it provided 104 safe rides in 2025 and had facilitated 122 rides so far this year. The article says more than 350 volunteers support the chapter. It also says 245 volunteers have earned the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal for their service beyond assigned duties.
The article describes who may use the service. Active duty, Reserve and National Guard service members of any military branch are eligible. Military dependents with valid Department of Defense identification may ride only when traveling with their sponsor, because one passenger must have a valid Common Access Card (CAC). The chapter serves a 30-mile radius around the installation.
The article lists weekend hours from 7 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and from midnight to 5 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Service members can contact the chapter through its hotline at 573.452.8595 or through a form linked on its Facebook page. Volunteers have also supported installation events such as leader course graduations and military balls.
This is a unit-level volunteer program run by one chapter near one installation. It is not an Army-wide rule, and the article does not describe a new policy. Still, the approach offers discussion points for leaders. How does your squad talk about asking for a ride? Does everyone know where to find a safe-ride option near home station? Could your leaders make asking for help feel routine rather than embarrassing?
The chapter leader's main message is about culture. He says the goal is an environment where asking for a ride is seen as responsible decision-making. A volunteer adds that the program is not about judging anyone. For junior NCOs, the lesson is to make the safe option easy to name, easy to find and easy to use. Discuss it at your next squad meeting.
Source: U.S. Army: Battle buddy at the wheel: Service members volunteer to prevent drunk driving. Published 2026-10-29.