According to the AP "Report: Nuclear weapon drivers sometimes got drunk," USA Today's "Watchdog says some truck drivers of nuke weapons got drunk on job," and Slate's "Nuclear Weapons Drivers Got Drunk on the Job" --one might think booze-swilling drivers were hauling America's most delicate cargo.
An analysis of the memorandum shows that although concern was raised in the two incidents where drivers were detained by local police during layovers, the incidents were handled according to departmental policy. Nothing in the report indicates that at any time were drunken drivers behind the wheel transporting nuclear materials
In 2007, an Agent was arrested for public intoxication, and, in 2009, two Agents were handcuffed and temporarily detained by police officers after an incident at a local bar. Neither of the agents in these instances was "on the job" as reported in some news stories. One news report stated:
"Between 2007 and 2009, there were 16 "alcohol-related incidents" involving nuclear truck drivers who violated the government's zero-tolerance policy."
In fact, there is no zero-tolerance policy regarding the consumption of alcohol except during training, and nothing in the report indicates the agent-drivers involved were "in training" or that the missions associated with the incidents were training missions.
The report concludes that the incidents “indicate a potential vulnerability” in a “critical national security mission.”
From AP, USA Today, Slate and many repetitious stories.
The memorandum can be found here.
