Like many 21-year-olds, Adam Hesch, a senior midshipmanat the U.S. Naval Academy, celebrated adulthood with a few alcoholic beverages.
But his booze came from an unlikely source ? the academy.
To teach future naval officers the perils of irresponsible drinking, midshipmen are invited to a dinner after their 21st birthday and can voluntary have three drinks to see how alcohol affects them.
“This is out-of-the-box thinking for the academy,” Hesch said. “You get to see your blood alcohol level as you drink. It makes the issue much more relevant.”
“We want to teach midshipmen about the responsibilities of their new freedom, as well as their duties as an officer,” said Capt. Margaret Klein, the academy?s commandant when the program was unveiled during Monday?s meeting of the Board of Visitors.
Since August, the academy sent out letters to midshipmen who turned 21 and invited them for a dinner and some drinks.
After every drink, the midshipmen take a Breathalyzer test.
“The resounding feedback is that most midshipmen had no idea how few drinks it takes them to get to the .08 limit,” Klein said.
Following the dinner, military police officers speak to the midshipmen about their experiences in dealing with drunken people.
“Afterwards, the midshipmen said they found the comments from the police officers sobering,” said Capt. John Pasko, director of the officer development division.
Officials said the midshipmen are supervised during the process.
Midshipmen who are of age can consume alcohol during special functions and at the officers? club on the academy, officials said. Alcohol is prohibited in the dormitory halls.
Klein said the program is a proactive approach to potential alcohol problems.
However, there have been past incidents regarding midshipmen and binge drinking that have raised concerns.
“This is something the academy should continue to do, for sure,” Hesch said.
