The recent decision by NAS Pensacola to place two local establishments off-limits to military personnel has brought renewed attention to a long-standing challenge in military towns: how to balance base security with community support for young service members.
- During a recent episode of “(We Don’t) Color On the Dog,” host Rick Outzen and Jeff DeWeese explored the complexities of this issue, drawing from DeWeese’s experience with Pensacola’s former Underage Drinking Task Force. This collaborative effort, once organized through the Chamber of Commerce’s Military Affairs Committee, brought together base commanders, local law enforcement, and business owners to address problems before they escalated.
The Reality of Military Training Towns
NAS Pensacola operates much like a college campus, hosting thousands of 18-year-old service members fresh out of boot camp. These young adults arrive with their first military paychecks, limited transportation options, and a natural desire to explore their newfound freedom after the constraints of basic training.
- “They’re 18 years old, fresh out of boot camp, got a little money in their pockets,” DeWeese explained. “Most of them do not have cars. So they are using Uber, taking taxis in groups to get around, and they want to have a good time.”
The task force’s approach was proactive rather than punitive. Annual presentations educated local establishments about military ID requirements and age restrictions, while orientation programs taught new students about local laws and acceptable venues.
Perhaps most importantly, local law enforcement agencies worked to avoid arrests that could derail promising military careers. Through “community turnover” agreements, officers would return military members to base commanders for non-judicial punishment rather than processing them through the civilian court system.
- “By the time they’ve gotten here, we have a lot of money as taxpayers invested in their training already,” DeWeese noted. “You don’t want to just flush it just because an 18-year-old made a bad choice.”
Moving Forward
While specific establishments may find themselves off-limits, the underlying philosophy remains: Pensacola’s military community thrives on collaboration. Many former students choose to return and make Pensacola their permanent home, contributing to the local economy and community for decades.
It may be time to bring back this collaborative effort.
