I am being told to go to PT by the command on only 4-5 hours of sleep. As a junior enlisted, how do I solve this problem?

I don’t see how getting less sleep prepares you for deployment in the end though.. I’m able to not go with little to no sleep. Just trying to think of a better plan for this situation. But hey that's making too much sense lol.

SPC(P) (Join to see) - It doesn't. You acclimatize when you do deploy. To pretend like you should do it when not deployed is just an excuse for people who don't look out for their soldiers to talk and NOT give help or wisdom.

PO2 Joseph Fast - Respectfully Petty Officer I believe it does help with this it is the same reason that my unit and other units do 24 hour ops it is to get you use to having to do these things. Having to do that shift and then getting little to no sleep then having to get back up and keep going is something that happens during deployments.

SGT (Join to see) - Correct me if I'm wrong. What I am trying to explain is people should be able to adapt on command. For example, if I suddenly need to operate on 4 hours of sleep every day for the next 6 months, I can and would do it. I don't need practice nor have I ever. Practice just harms my body pointlessly and makes me grumpy. Most of us get conditioned in boot to see if we can. After we have the proof, it's unnecessary until required. Take this from someone who only had 3 months of shore time in a 24 month period (not that I'm really complaining about that. I actually liked deploying out onto another ship while my ship was in port, was a new experience.)

If you happen to be one of those who can't acclimatize quickly, I am sorry for you. However, the small amount of people who can't acclimatize on demand shouldn't be used as an example for those of us who not only can, but have and therefore should NOT attempt to get practice. Leave the practice for those who need it and see the positives, not for those who don't need it and thus it's only a negative.

I would suggest addressing the deeper issue that the 1SG is worried about. What "should" happen is that your section leadership should push back against the 1SG in defense of their Soldiers safety and offer a viable solution. Since that's not what happened, the next best step is to take a viable interest in your sections PT plan and take it over. Approach the 1SG with your PT plan and explain that it would take place at 1300 or 1400 because you can't physically be at the 1600 formation and being at the 0530 formation would be a safety risk that would require a risk assessment due to soldiers driving with three hours of sleep or less at night. Then present a plan to uphold accountability and invite the 1SG to participate.
The 1SG is afraid of Soldiers not being held accountable and of them failing their APFT. Show him that you are capable of managing both. Most issues in the Army aren't covered by regulations and the regs give commanders wide latitude. So most conflict resolution comes from figuring out the other person's fears and addressing that.

SFC (Join to see)
Thank you this is perfect.

SFC (Join to see)
Because a couple people PCsd in my section I am the only one working the 1600-0000 shift at the moment. Do you know how they might react if I say I am doing PT in the afternoon on my own though? How will I show proof?

SPC(P) (Join to see) I can never predict how another leader will react. Finding creative solutions to complex problems is the hallmark of leadership. If you can't see a solution they would agree with, consider what you would propose to your leader if this was your soldier and you knew it was unsafe to be driving like that. How would you ensure they're going to PT? How would you ensure accountability? What checks would you put in place to assuage the 1SG that you are present? Maybe propose checking in with him personally. Maybe propose leading another group, or a special populations PT session. Of course, this is a much easier proposal to pitch if you already have a decent PT score

There's a difference between combat environments and "this is the next four years of your life because we can't be bothered to actually lead."