Posted on Jun 12, 2019
SPC(P) Medical Laboratory Specialist
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We have a new 1SG and new commander. The 1SG noticed one day that only 5 people in the whole company showed up to PT. Now he put out to all the platoon Sergeants that everyone must show up to PT at either the 0530 formation or the 1600 formation.

However, my section is the only one in the hospital that has a 1600-0000 shift. I am being told by my first line that the 1SG says that I have to be at the morning formation, no exceptions.

I don’t want to sound like I’m whining but at the same time it’s unfortunate that I have to explain to myself as to why this isn’t right.

As a junior enlisted I do feel stuck.

How do I bring this issue up and solve this effectively and professionally?
Also: Do you know of any Army Regulations that can support anything?
Edited 6 y ago
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SFC Recruiter
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The easiest way to solve this problem is by going to PT
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SGT Alfred Cox
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Yeah.. you solve it by getting out. I don't see an issue. either suck it up buttercup or get a DD-214.
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LTC Charles Lauderdale
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Two questions. 1). Was that 4-5 hours sleep in one night? 2). Are you in an American Army unit? I must have been born in the wrong century and/or served in another army in a land far, far away. In that army 4-5 hours sleep in a single night was when one was home on leave. We never suffered sunburn during PT in that PT formations were always at 0 dark 30 hours. The only exception to early morning PT was in Ranger School. If there was a rain storm or blizzard you can bet that damn SFC Artez would stop everything and call a PT formation. One good thing about that army was that we did not have to worry about what army regulations said or did not say. If the 1SG did not know the regulation in question he would just ask the SGM! Soldier/Cop/Grunt, Retired
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1px xxx
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SPC, the situation does suck. Night shift sucks because many on days either don't know or don't remember what lifestyle changes have to be made while working shift. We were frequently called in during the day and on days off for musters and ceremonies, or other reasons that aren't relevant here. If you plan on getting enough sleep, working nights means pretty much dropping out of the rest of the world, which some guys loved. I personally didn't. Keep in mind, for the upper chain, face time with their troops is important and chances are they don't get to see you when your on nights. They are also responsible for your physical readiness, which can be a real concern for those on nights. During my time on nights I had small children so I simply didn't get as much sleep as some of the single folks. You are left with few options here, as I see it, and communication is key. One option is having a daily section PT in lieu of company PT. This will have to be negotiated, but if your 1SG is open minded it could happen. One way to convince him is to show up to company PT periodically, say once a month or even once a week, and the rest of the time do section PT. This will at least give your section a little leeway on when PT is done. Your PT may have to be documented and invite your 1SG to your sessions if he buys off on it. It will give him a warm and fuzzy that it is getting done and will also give him some face time with you. If he doesn't buy off on it then you are stuck until you rotate back to days. Good luck.
PO3 D L
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A young enlisted person should be able to manage doing 0530 PT and after that is completed, head home, have some "dinner" around 0800, go to bed and *then* head to work. You have to be responsible as you are in the military and part of a group. You are expected to be in good physical condition and this is the way to keep it on track.
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PO2 Joseph Fast
PO2 Joseph Fast
5 y
Do you really not see a solution that doesn't interrupt her sleep cycle 1/2 way in? I do. Waking up 1/2 through your sleep cycle has NOTHING to do with staying fit. That last sentence is to help you come up with a solution in case you couldn't figure one out.
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SPC Joe Dilley
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Man up and get it done. What, you gonna tell the enemy you’ve only had 4 or 5 hours of sleep so you can’t fight? Change your panties for some men pants and soldier up.
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PO2 Joseph Fast
PO2 Joseph Fast
5 y
You're commenting to a female.......
And don't even pretend like you weren't insulting a man by calling him a woman. Learn to read mate. Actually listening is the first step to becoming a great leader.
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LTC Team Chief
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Wah, wah...wah, wah, wah, wahhhh. Many sad face emojis. :(

With respect to the medical community, you're a specialist on a night shift. I doubt you're being over-stressed or overworked. Someone previously mentioned time management. Consider this before you try to dig up a AR to toss in the face of your 1SG. If you decide to remain in after your first enlistment, you will doubtless end up in assignments where 4-5 hours will seem to be a luxury.
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LTC Team Chief
LTC (Join to see)
>1 y
And before you bring on the "blame-throwers", I served nearly 18 yrs enlisted before my commission. I'm wearing asbestos underwear. ;)
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SPC Infantryman
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Are you kidding me I wake up for formation at 0630 and get off at 1700 this ain't shit excuse my french this is the army you are to follow your first sgt no matter what if he or she says hey 0530 you better get use to it god damn your in the army as a pog I'm an infantryman you better start shaping instead of being a whinny bitch excuse my french and behavior I hate people who complain
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PO2 Joseph Fast
PO2 Joseph Fast
5 y
Wow, you suck at math. Why don't I put it into perspective for you. Imagine your schedule, but PT is at 0100 in the morning. Hopefully that helps you understand what the problem was. Would you try to ask to be allowed to PT at 0630 if your command wanted you to drive into work at 0030 to PT at 0100?
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SFC Richard Williamson
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What's your point?? 4 to 5 hrs of sleep was plenty of sleep prior to PT when I was enlisted a few years ago. In fact it was nothing for us to run PT with 3 or less hrs of sleep, not by choice, most of the time either. We had a work schedule and for the most, we stuck to that schedule. Don't have more important things to whine about besides PT? Years back, when I was still active, as lower enlisted, we never had the luxury of "explaining" ourselves. Orders were issued and we followed them. There is one regulation, as I recall, that covers everything you've cried about here. That reg is called :UCMJ. You appear to be living proof that the Army is not for everybody.
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SFC Ralph E Kelley
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Sorry for your loss.
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Neal Chamberlain
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This scenario forced me to expend some energy thinking.

1) The USA has managed to field some of the best military units in history, particularly since converting to all-volunteer. The quality of discipline plays no small part in that proud fact.

2) I have held a 65+year career as a civilian. I did, however grow up on a dairy farm. Our days began at 0430, since that was the prime time (according to the cows). As a child/adolescent, I had a more strenuous regimen of chores than my peers, but I wanted to join in some of their activities. That meant I had to be prepared to choke up to certain adjustments.

3) I invite you to have this conversation with any combat veteran. They will likely tell you what you are doing is just a rehearsal.
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SGT Randy Bordner
SGT Randy Bordner
>1 y
I especially like #3. I am a combat infantryman from Vietnam.
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SSG Retired
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SPC Davis you volunteered for this you signed a blank check to include your life that you would serve and die for this country. Either learn to deal with it or get out stop being a snow flake you are expected to preform pt with your unit and have been given a choice of 2 times to do so there are moss's that during the training phase you might only get 10 to 15 minutes sleep as you are being trained to work in adverse conditions and expected to adapt if not you will be washed out. Live with your choice of military life or get out grow up. the solution to your problem is you learning how allocate your time properly not the Army making special accommodations for you.
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CSM Richard StCyr
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See you at 0530. PT should be built into your training schedule, I see lots of sleep time available to you; 0030-0500 then 0730- 1500 plenty of down time to work out a rest cycle. Sections and units with 24 hour ops generally struggle with balancing PT and other mission requirements with rest cycles. That's why they as a general practice rotate sections through the different operation hours periodically to share the discomfort of the odd schedule.
You'll thank Top and the Old Man one day when you aren't fat and get a good PT score, all because they made you do PT.
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CPL Christopher Thomas
CPL Christopher Thomas
4 y
Roger that
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1SG Dennis Hicks
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Where you one of the 5 that showed up ? Nothing is forever, your unit is required to maintain the PT Standard and it says volumes when the 1SG has to micro manage a requirement.
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Sgt Cody Hardy
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This is not a problem. You going to not fight because you did not get your beauty sleep. Stop being a bitch!!!
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MSgt Stuart Lett
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ask your section to adjust work hours to fit in line with new Unit PT requirements.
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LCpl April Michalik
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Obey your orders
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SGT Jody Beach
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Get up and do it ... God what's wrong with this generation. 1SGT made it clear ,,, 0530 or 1600 .... You are a soldier 24 & 7. It was a lawful order from your chain of command that is in no way harsh. And yes us older Army folk did club until the bar closed, made formation and did PT. Hell I ran with the fast group.....
I did hear the Air Force is hiring,,,,,,,,
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PFC George Gates
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The only real point I can bring up is that in BCT I was told that they are only required to allow you four hours of sleep. If you get more than that it's a luxury. Also if you don't work till 1600 why can't you sleep after out?
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SFC Aubrey Mason
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Edited >1 y ago
If I were you - I would go do what your 1SG told you to do
PT.
A failure of discipline is the major problem in today's Military and it starts with you.
OR............
You can go tell your 1SG you aren't going to do what he told you to do - and suffer the consequences of an Art15, a reduction in pay and rank....
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