MEDIA CONTEST: SFS tests alcohol awareness

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ACC MEDIA CONTEST --  Extra Headline: 28th Security Forces Squadron administers a field sobriety test on 2nd Lt. Jason Murleyto monotor the affects of alcohol.

At a mission support group warrior call Sept. 8, 28th Security Forces Squadron members presented alcohol education and drunken driving prevention from the law enforcement perspective. Security forces provided commentary and background as field sobriety tests were performed on about 10 volunteers of a control group. Volunteers handed over their keys and signed a document stating they would not drive that night; designated drivers were also provided. Then the experiment began. Each person drank a predetermined amount of alcohol over a set duration prior to the warrior call and completed one of four field sobriety tests in front of the audience.

"Our objective was to make people more informed of how easy it is to fail a field sobriety test and how you have no control over (certain types of tests) once you consume alcohol," said 1st Lt. Winnell de Mesa, 28th SFS, logistics officer in charge, who coordinated the experiment.

First the squadron had to decide to tackle driving under the influence violations, though. Briefing responsibility for warrior calls rotates between squadrons in the mission support group and security forces wanted to choose something timely and appropriate for their turn.

After some discussion, DUIs came up as an issue and we knew we had expertise to share, said Maj. Erik Bruce, 28th SFS commander.

Enter field sobriety tests - something many servicemembers see on the side of the road, but probably couldn't describe in detail.

The tests include the horizontal gaze nystagmus, also known as the "follow the pen" test, the one-legged stand, the walk and turn, and the preliminary breath test. Each is designed to assess a driver's mental and physical impairment by checking the driver's muscle control, ability to process and remember information, make decisions, and balance.

In order to demonstrate how slight, uncontrollable movements can indicate the influence of alcohol, a video camera connected to a big screen projected the eye movement during the horizontal gaze nystagmus. After three drinks in one hour 2nd Lt. Jason Murley, 28th Civil Engineering Squadron maintenance engineering chief, failed the nystagmus test. Despite natural appearance and interaction, a slight twitch in his eye was enough to indicate alcohol consumption above the legal limit.

Lieutenant Murley was surprised he failed the test.

"I felt like I was controlling my movements very well," he said. "I didn't notice the eye movements the security forces members were evaluating."

Those who drank less or had longer time between drinks exhibited fewer indicators. 2nd Lt. Sarah Ortner, 28th Logistics Readiness Squadron installation deployment officer, drank one glass of wine in
one hour and breathed safely below the .08 limit.

Before FST are even used, the driver must be pulled over, which is an entire process itself. Major Bruce said police typically watch how the driver is operating the vehicle and how the driver responds to the signal to stop before actually stopping the driver.

"Driving indicators - speeding, swerving, no blinker - are easy," said Major Bruce. "The other things we look for test your body's uncontrollable response to alcohol. Red cheeks, glossy eyes, smell - those are all indicators your body can't fake."

In addition to the experiment and demonstration, security forces personnel discussed the process of a field sobriety test and shared the results of an informal 150-person Ellsworth survey.

Nearly 70 of the 150 responses came from servicemembers ranging from 21 to 31 years old representing different ranks and careers. Most had some college or had completed an undergraduate degree.

This base is well-educated and is smart enough to make smart decisions, said Lieutenant de Mesa.

Military members who do choose to drink and drive are subject to Article 111 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which prohibits drunken or reckless operation of vehicle,aircraft or vessel.