Nonlethal weapon training impacts Seymour Johnson

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Marissa Tucker
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Airmen from the 4th Security Forces Squadron got the shock of their life as they received a day full of taser training including several live demonstrations on the power of the nonlethal weapon.

Several Security Forces Airmen participated in a "voluntary exposure," exercise, where they received a five second taser shock in a controlled environment to demonstrate the effect of the tasers to them, said Staff Sgt. Mia Hackett, a SFS trainer at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C.

"In the 4th Fighter Wing, in order to use be able to use a taser, you have to take the class and get tased beforehand," the sergeant said.

Before the hands-on training, Airmen received classroom training where they became familiar with the nomenclature of the tasers and safety features. There was also practical training where the Airmen were able to shoot mock tasers at dummies.

From apprehensive to excited, Airmen lined up to experience the shock, none truly knowing how it would affect them, but all hoping the results would not be embarrassing.

"In the history of us conducting this training, we have had two people lose control of their bowels, but tasers are 100 percent nonlethal," Sergeant Hackett said. "There would have to be a pre-existing condition for it to cause any permanent harm."

The 226 model tasers that are made by Taser International, delivers a one volt shock for five seconds and is more than enough to apprehend even the toughest subject. Security forces trainer Lionell Peake-Marshall administered the shocks and said he believes the training will greatly benefit Airmen, who now might use more discretion when contemplating using a taser on an assailant now that they know how it feels.

Keeping up with advancing technology, the tasers give Airmen another method to apprehend suspects Sergeant Peake-Marshall said. Hopefully, they feel more secure in their abilities to do their job.

The students, after composing themselves from the yells and shrieks of the initial shock of being tased, said they were grateful for the experience, although one said she would rather be in labor than get tased again.

"I will definitely only use the taser if I have too," said Senior Airman Callan Hammac, 4th SFS patrolman. "Now I understand what it will do to the suspect and the pain they will feel."

Seymour Johnson Airmen who successfully completed the course will begin carrying the tasers in January 2011.