Do you prefer shift work?

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 08:20:45 -0400

Do you prefer standard M-F 8-5 or odd shift work? This question is mostly for current active duty members working in shift specialties such as security, firefighting, night maintenance, duty watches, deployments, etc... Do you enjoy shift work? Why? Favorite shift schedule?

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Oct 21 at 2014 8:39 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 08:39:03 -0400

When deployed for OIF-III, I was on staff as the S-2 NCOIC for our BN, the first 5 months in Samarra I was assigned to the Samarra JCC and served as the NCOIC and worked basically 12 hour shift from 08-2000 and then when we shut the JCC down and returned to the FOB I worked the same shift in the TOC overseeing the BN's interpreters and the detainee operations. Best way to handle things at the staff level when your personnel are minimal, IMO. Outside of that when in garrison, unless we were at gunnery or conducting an FTX, the ol' 8-5 M-F worked for me!

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Oct 21 at 2014 8:43 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 08:43:18 -0400

In my younger days, I didn't mind shift work at all, as a matter of fact, in many ways I preferred it since it did give me some time off during the 'normal' work day to accomplish errands. Now that I'm older, I very much prefer the M-F day shift with weekends and holidays off!

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Oct 21 at 2014 9:02 AM

Maj Chris Nelson — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 09:02:29 -0400

In the days of old, I LOVED the Panama Schedule, night shift. As I get older, my body does not tolerate the night shift as well, but I still love the Panama Schedule. (for those that are not aware of the Panama Schedule, it is 12 hour shift, 2 on, 2 off, 3 on, 2 off 2 on, 3 off, every other weekend is a 3 day weekend at work, or 3 day weekend off). NOW, I work M-F 0700-1630 (if we get off anywhere close to on time). Deployments: I worked 7 days a week, 15-18 hours per day, sunday was 1/2 day....) With nothing else to do, it wasn't bad either.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2014 9:05 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 09:05:00 -0400

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member I used to work all three shifts each work week, that was brutal but the swing shift late and mids early were quiet. lol

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2014 10:29 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 10:29:24 -0400

I particularly enjoyed mid shift. From a maintenance aspect, less people to fight for tools and you usually dont have all the bosses standing over your shoulder so you can just focus on the mission.

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Oct 21 at 2014 11:18 AM

Cpl Dennis F. — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 11:18:26 -0400

I worked nights (10pm to 7am) for over 20 years. At the time I didn't mind it. It allowed me to get a great deal done during the mornings and I tried to play as I worked on my off days. Having been retired for two years., I am still unable to revert to a normal schedule. It is now to the point of being a health concern and not compatible with a retired lifestyle. Something you may wish to consider.

Response by SPC Chelsea Fernandez made Oct 21 at 2014 8:50 PM

SPC Chelsea Fernandez — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 20:50:46 -0400

When I was on active duty and we was in the field I used to pull the 11pm til 7am morning shift. I liked it because I get to sleep during the day while others work. The only downside was I was pulling shift with an annoying LT. I was miserable and could wait to get back on base.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2014 4:15 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 16:15:59 -0400

At home, I prefer the 8-5 schedule. Deployed, the night schedule was by far more desirable in the blazing hell-hole that is Southwest Asia.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2014 9:18 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 21:18:48 -0500

12 hour nights were my usual for about 12 years. Now I work the best schedule I've ever had... 24 hours on, 24 off, 24 on, then 5 days off. Pretty sweet gig. Deployed, it's all over the place... As a flight nurse it depends on alert status, number of flight crews and how many patients need to be moved. It changes daily...

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2014 10:01 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 22:01:49 -0500

I worked 2 days (6-2), 2 swings (2-10), and 2 two mids (10-2). For 8 or so years.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Dec 5 at 2014 1:11 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 01:11:23 -0500

If it changed too much, I would go insane. In Iraq, I made 3-10 hr shifts with overlaps at launch and recovery times. That way, I could get my troops back to 1SG for those mandatory things that just sucked. It was the only way I could keep my wrench turners off limits from details. Every few weeks we would rotate to keep the same shift from getting burnt to a crisp (before there were clam shells or maintenance structures). I don't see how some people do it. My sister is a nurse and she is constantly changing shifts. The older I get, the more I need routine....and sleep....and reminders....and reminders.

Response by SSgt B Mac made Dec 5 at 2014 1:22 AM

SSgt B Mac — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 01:22:36 -0500

I spent three years on a rotating shift, 4 swings, 1 day off, 4 mids, 2.5 days off. A 12 day cycle, I miss it. I dislike the drone of a 9-5. I feel I am more productive with less distractions on shift hours.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Dec 5 at 2014 6:50 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 06:50:54 -0500

Only for a few short periods during my Career was I a Day-Lady, Day-Snake, Day-Puke. I have been a Shift Worker almost my Entire Life even as a Senior Network Operations Specialist for Sprint it was on the Night Shift and now as a Flex Officer for Allied Barton I mostly work shift work. I don't really know anything different.

Response by PO2 Jack Mitchell made Feb 18 at 2015 4:24 PM

PO2 Jack Mitchell — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 16:24:49 -0500

I preferred a Panama schedule. Two days on two days off and every other weekend is a 3 day

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2015 4:49 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 May 2015 16:49:13 -0400

8 to 5

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2015 5:19 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 May 2015 17:19:35 -0400

During a deployment, well yes but back home, I'll take the 9-5 anytime.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2015 11:11 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 11:11:49 -0400

Being a master at arms I don't think I could do 8-5 without burning out... Unless the navy told me to then I would not have a choice.