ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. — Members of the 28th Security Forces Squadron participated in a Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing course at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, 27-29 March, 2024.
Eight students, to include security forces Airmen and a civilian police officer, participated in this mandatory three-day course, beginning with classroom instruction on day one, practice exercises on day two, and pass/fail testing on day three.
“We have the students in this course go through training from step one, when the vehicle is in motion, until making an arrest,” said John Kost, a security specialist with the 28th SFS. “We teach them how to do the three standard field sobriety tests and to recognize the indicators for when someone is intoxicated.”
The course began with a pre-test to assess the students’ knowledge regarding the signs of intoxication and how to properly test for it while on duty, followed by an in-depth presentation to teach them information they’d need to know when assessing a potential DWI situation.
Students then put their instruction to practice with each other by going through the field sobriety test in a classroom setting, followed by a more hands-on approach with volunteers from around the base who consumed alcohol in a controlled environment, allowing the students to run tests as they progressed into various stages of intoxication up to the legal limit.
For Senior Airman Samuel Porter, 28th SFS patrolman, the course was a refresher, as he has been certified in the past but needed to test again to stay current with the necessary skills, an experience he still finds valuable.
“We are the first thing people see when they come onto the installation,” said Porter. “It’s our responsibility to protect people here, so being able to detect DWI is a priority.”
After a day of practice, students were tested on what they learned with more volunteers, going through all the steps to become certified. This course is offered to new SFS members every eight to nine months, with recertification required every three years.
“We want the students and the volunteers to take this experience back to their units,” said Kost. “If you do drive while intoxicated, you could hurt or kill someone. We just want to keep those people off the streets.”
Published By Airman 1st Class Brittany Kenney, 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jovonte Slater, 28th Security Forces Squadron response force member, holds a pen at his partner’s eye-level while practicing a field sobriety test at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, March 27, 2024. One of three parts of the field sobriety test, the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test has the participant track the tip of a pen with their eyes while keeping their head still, allowing the administrator to track eye movement. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittany Kenney)
Members of the 28th Security Forces Squadron go over a pre-test on facts about driving while intoxicated as part of a Driving While Intoxicated course at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, March 27, 2024. The state-certified course on the signs of DWI and how to conduct a field sobriety test is required for new 28th SFS members, with refresher courses offered every three years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittany Kenney)
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Calvin Garcia, 28th Force Support Squadron special action technician, right, performs a field sobriety test for Senior Airman Samuel Porter, 28th Security Forces Squadron patrolman, left, and Matt Stewart, 28th SFS civilian police officer, center, at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, March 28, 2024. After consuming alcohol while being closely monitored, volunteers from the base performed various tests led by 28th SFS members in training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittany Kenney)
U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Derek Ditto, 28th Force Support Squadron sustainment flight commander, center, participates in a field sobriety test on Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, March 28, 2024. Volunteers from the base consumed alcohol under supervision to allow 28th SFS members to train and become certified on detecting intoxication as part of a Driving While Intoxicated course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittany Kenney)
U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Derek Ditto, 28th Force Support Squadron sustainment flight commander, left, participates in a breathalyzer test with Staff Sgt. Malik Washington, 28th Security Forces Squadron unit training manager, right, at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, March 24, 2024. To help 28th SFS members become certified to accurately detect and make an arrest for driving while intoxicated, volunteers consumed alcohol in a controlled environment while having their blood alcohol content monitored. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittany Kenney)
Jose J. Sanchez, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Defender Magazine, is a U.S. Air Force veteran who served in the Presidential Honor Guard, Bolling AFB, Washington DC, the 416th Security Police Squadron, Griffiss AFB, NY, and the 89th Security Forces Squadron, Andrews AFB, MD
