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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?
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Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 17
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I preferred a Panama schedule. Two days on two days off and every other weekend is a 3 day
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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.
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SGM Erik Marquez
I suppose it's perspective...
When I was a Infantry company 1SG deployed, my SM did not have shifts, because there was no time to do so.. Patrol requirements, local security, interior security... was more than a combined arms company of 214 could do in shifts.
When I was a BN and later Div Staffer.. while my TOC crew worked shifts, there is but one OPS SGM... Â so my shift was the DAYNIGHT one.. I worked when there was work to be done...but the TOC rats worked a 12 hour shift,,and yes we kept it the same for them unless need arose to change.
In Afghanistan this last time, as the RCE JOC SGM I had staffers from all functional divisional areas, Operations folks, US unit LNOs, Afghans, French, Polish ect... and I let each group devise their own work schedule that worked for their section other then the OPS folks, which we set be need..Â
As long as the chair was covered in the JOC by a qualified war fighter.Â
What I noticed was...there was no clear pattern of what worked best....Some sections did better with 12 hour shifts, some with shorter, many had to be pushed to change as what they chose for the personnel assigned was not working. Staff directors more worried about what their group did off the JOC floor took precedence over how their staffers performed on the JOC floor.
IOW, it's really an individual thing, and forcing a one fits all policy really seems to be a bad choice in larger groups. But I get it, reality is in most organizations the flexibility is not going to be there.Â
When I was a Infantry company 1SG deployed, my SM did not have shifts, because there was no time to do so.. Patrol requirements, local security, interior security... was more than a combined arms company of 214 could do in shifts.
When I was a BN and later Div Staffer.. while my TOC crew worked shifts, there is but one OPS SGM... Â so my shift was the DAYNIGHT one.. I worked when there was work to be done...but the TOC rats worked a 12 hour shift,,and yes we kept it the same for them unless need arose to change.
In Afghanistan this last time, as the RCE JOC SGM I had staffers from all functional divisional areas, Operations folks, US unit LNOs, Afghans, French, Polish ect... and I let each group devise their own work schedule that worked for their section other then the OPS folks, which we set be need..Â
As long as the chair was covered in the JOC by a qualified war fighter.Â
What I noticed was...there was no clear pattern of what worked best....Some sections did better with 12 hour shifts, some with shorter, many had to be pushed to change as what they chose for the personnel assigned was not working. Staff directors more worried about what their group did off the JOC floor took precedence over how their staffers performed on the JOC floor.
IOW, it's really an individual thing, and forcing a one fits all policy really seems to be a bad choice in larger groups. But I get it, reality is in most organizations the flexibility is not going to be there.Â
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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.
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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.
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PO1 (Join to see) I used to work all three shifts each work week, that was brutal but the swing shift late and mids early were quiet. lol
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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!
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