Drunk Lt. Col., Dentist Risks Military Career After Chaotic DUI Arrest in Florida
DRUNK LT. COL. (DENTIST) MICHELLE BONGIOVI
By SyndicatedNews | SNN.BZ
In a viral video that’s sparked widespread outrage and debate on social media, a high-ranking U.S. Air Force officer, Michelle Bongiovi, 59 both drunk and entitled was captured on police bodycam footage refusing to comply with a routine traffic stop, escalating the situation into a dramatic confrontation that ended with deputies breaking her car window. The incident, which occurred earlier this year in Santa Rosa County, Florida, highlights the perils of entitlement clashing with law enforcement—and raises questions about accountability within the military. Bongiovi was arrested after failing field sobriety tests.
The officer in question is Lt. Col., Michelle Bongiovi, a 48-year-old periodontist assigned to Hurlburt Field Air Force Base near Mary Esther, Florida. Hurlburt Field, home to the Air Force Special Operations Command, is a key hub for elite units like the 1st Special Operations Wing, focusing on unconventional warfare, counterterrorism, and rapid-response missions. As a dental specialist, the lieutenant colonel provides critical oral health services to active-duty personnel, including specialized gum disease treatments—a role that’s vital for maintaining troop readiness but one that doesn’t grant immunity from civilian laws.
The footage, originally released by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office and recirculated on platforms like YouTube and X (formerly Twitter), shows the lieutenant colonel clocked driving at least 20 mph over the speed limit on October 10, 2024, in the Tiger Point area—a quiet residential neighborhood just outside Pensacola. What began as a standard speeding stop quickly unraveled as the officer, allegedly impaired, repeatedly asserted her rank and demanded special treatment.
The Traffic Stop Gone Wrong
According to the bodycam video, deputies approached the lieutenant colonel’s vehicle—a black SUV with military plates—after radar confirmed her excessive speed. Initial interactions were tense: The officer refused to provide her license, registration, or proof of insurance, instead launching into a tirade about her military status. “Do you know who I am? I’m a lieutenant colonel in the United States Air Force,” she reportedly shouted, her voice slurring slightly as she fumbled with her phone to call her base commander. Witnesses and deputies noted a strong odor of alcohol emanating from the vehicle, though field sobriety tests were complicated by her non-compliance.
As the situation escalated, the lieutenant colonel locked her doors and rolled up her windows, ignoring repeated commands to exit the vehicle. Deputies warned her of potential use of force, but she continued to argue, claiming the stop was a “misunderstanding” and that her service entitled her to leniency. After several minutes of stalemate, backup arrived, and deputies used a tactical tool to shatter the driver’s side window, reaching in to unlock the door and forcibly remove her. She was handcuffed and placed in a patrol car, where she continued protesting, at one point alleging discrimination and threatening legal action.
Blood tests later confirmed a blood-alcohol level above Florida’s legal limit of 0.08%, leading to charges of driving under the influence (DUI), resisting arrest without violence, and reckless driving. A search of the vehicle uncovered an open bottle of wine and a wad of cash estimated at over $2,000, fueling speculation about off-duty activities. No injuries were reported, but the incident required multiple units to respond, tying up resources in a high-tourism area prone to holiday-season traffic.
Military Response and Public Backlash
The Air Force swiftly launched an investigation under Article 113 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), which governs “drunken or reckless operation” of a vehicle and carries penalties including reduction in rank, fines, or even court-martial for repeat offenders. Sources close to the base indicate the lieutenant colonel has been temporarily relieved of duties pending the outcome, a standard procedure to protect unit morale and operational security. “This behavior is not representative of the professionalism we demand from our officers,” a base spokesperson stated in an official release. “Accountability applies to all, regardless of rank.”
Online, the video has amassed millions of views, with reactions ranging from disbelief to fury. On Reddit’s r/AirForce subreddit, users vented frustration: “As a civilian, I couldn’t justify her any other way… A Lt Colonel. Even the word makes me stand straight and in line. How on earth did it ever cross her mind to pull this nonsense?” Similar sentiments echoed on r/SovereignCitizen, where commenters likened her defiance to “sovereign citizen” tactics, with one noting, “You’d think a Lt Colonel would have more sense… She was under the influence of something and not thinking clearly.” X posts amplified the clip, with users like @AngryCops sharing it under headlines like “Air Force Colonel has window busted during DWI arrest!”—garnering over 2,000 likes and sparking threads on military privilege.
Critics point to a broader pattern of high-profile military misconduct, from the 2023 firing of a Special Operations commander for a DUI hit-and-run to ongoing UCMJ reforms aimed at curbing impaired driving. The Air Force, in particular, has ramped up prevention programs following a spike in alcohol-related incidents among deployed personnel, with data showing over 1,200 DUI arrests service-wide in 2024 alone.
A Career in Jeopardy?
Little is publicly known about the lieutenant colonel’s background beyond her role at Hurlburt Field, where she’s served for at least five years. As a lieutenant colonel (O-5 pay grade), she earns a base salary of around $9,000 monthly, plus benefits, and likely oversees a dental clinic supporting special operators who endure grueling training and high-stress environments. Colleagues describe her as “competent but distant,” with one anonymous source telling a YouTube commentator, “She pulled a tooth of mine two years ago. She was actually fairly pleasant. Alcohol makes us do stupid stuff though.”
Yet, this single lapse could derail a 20-year career. Promotion to full colonel requires impeccable records, and DUI convictions often lead to mandatory substance abuse counseling or separation boards. If convicted in civilian court—her arraignment is scheduled for December 15—she faces up to a year in jail, $1,000 in fines, and license suspension, compounding military repercussions.
Lessons for Leaders
This incident serves as a stark reminder that rank doesn’t trump responsibility. For service members stationed far from home, the line between decompression and danger can blur, especially in a state like Florida with lax open-container laws but strict enforcement in residential zones. Advocacy groups like Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) have praised the deputies’ restraint, noting, “No one is above the law—especially not those sworn to uphold it.”
As the investigation unfolds, the focus shifts to prevention: Will the Air Force implement stricter off-base monitoring, or is this an isolated case of a “light colonel” dimmed by poor judgment? One thing’s certain—the video’s legacy will outlast the headlines, a cautionary tale etched in shattered glass.
This article is based on publicly available police reports, bodycam footage, and social media discussions. Updates will follow as the case progresses.
In relation to this Lt. Colonel’s case:
- She was off-base but still subject to UCMJ.
- Speeding + refusal + open container + confirmed BAC > 0.08% → strong case for drunken operation.
- Non-compliance and resisting → may trigger additional charges under Article 95 (resistance) or Article 134 (conduct prejudicial).
- Likely outcome: court-martial, possible reduction in rank, forfeiture of pay, and administrative separation.
NOTE: Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) Article 113: Drunken or Reckless Operation of a Vehicle, Aircraft, or Vessel. Article 113 of the UCMJ (10 U.S.C. § 913) is a punitive article that prohibits the drunken or reckless operation of any vehicle, aircraft, or vessel while on a military installation or in a location subject to military jurisdiction. It is designed to ensure safety, discipline, and operational readiness by holding service members accountable for impaired or dangerous operation of equipment—whether on duty or off.
“Any person subject to this chapter who—(1) operates or physically controls any vehicle, aircraft, or vessel in a reckless or wanton manner or while impaired by a substance described in section 912a(b) of this title (article 112a(b)), or (2) operates or is in actual physical control of any vehicle, aircraft, or vessel while drunk or when the alcohol concentration in the person’s blood or breath is equal to or exceeds the applicable limit under subsection (b), shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.”
