Posted on Jun 12, 2019
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?
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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?
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
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 1688
This entire thread is kind of surprising to me. You are in the Army. You were ordered to be somewhere. You make it work. I worked 12 hour guard shifts, with Guard Mount 2 hours prior, and weapons draw an hour before that. That's 15 hours of my day. Plus, I still had to do PT. We worked 5 days a week. Plus, Our command liked to pull regular (at least once a month) 100% recall formations. Did we bellyache? Yup. Did we still show up? Yup. We slept when we could, and saw our families almost never. It sucked, but it's sometimes just the way it is. When your contract is up, remember this when they offer you that juicy reenlistment bonus....
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When it comes to "no show" to PT, the 1SG's reaction will always be right in my book, and regardless how radical and extreme his or her "reaction" may look like, (in reference to "no show" to PT). I will always support a legal, proper, and correct orders from any 1SG (male or female).
How do you bring this issue up and solve this effectively and professionally?
First of all, your case is not an issue.
Second of all, your 1SG put out that everyone must show up to PT at either the 0530 formation or the 1600 formation. Problem solve! You know, it takes a bad apple to spoil the bunch.
Make sure through your platoon Sergeant that your 1SG is aware that you scheduled your PT at 16:00. Oops! My Bad. You worked over night. Either way, you must do PT.
Third of all, you confused me a little by saying that your 1SG says that you have to be at the morning formation, and no exceptions.
He (your 1SG) must know something about you, if your statement is true (no offense).
As a former infantry Soldier stationed at Fort Hood with the 4ID, 2nd Brigade back in 2001-2004, four (4) to four and half (4 1/2) hours are enough sleep to show up for PT after an eight hours shift. In fact, I had to show up for PT formation after pulling 22- 24 hours CQ at the Brigade HQ, if not on PT details. Well, we would not win any battle if we cannot adjust. There was a time in Iraq, we had to pull tower duty on 4 hours on, 2 hours off continuously for about 2 weeks due to shortage in manpower. In Kuwait while getting ready to invade Iraq back in 2003, we took great care of our Bradleys all day in a hot sun in the desert until real late. Without any notice, (less than 2 hours) the 1SG just "voluntold" you to KQ, (10 hours shift) and then back to maintenance. We wish we could get rested for 4 hours. If this is a problem for you, you still have an option to not reenlist. As you may already knew, Army career is hard work , and it is not for every body.
How do you bring this issue up and solve this effectively and professionally?
First of all, your case is not an issue.
Second of all, your 1SG put out that everyone must show up to PT at either the 0530 formation or the 1600 formation. Problem solve! You know, it takes a bad apple to spoil the bunch.
Make sure through your platoon Sergeant that your 1SG is aware that you scheduled your PT at 16:00. Oops! My Bad. You worked over night. Either way, you must do PT.
Third of all, you confused me a little by saying that your 1SG says that you have to be at the morning formation, and no exceptions.
He (your 1SG) must know something about you, if your statement is true (no offense).
As a former infantry Soldier stationed at Fort Hood with the 4ID, 2nd Brigade back in 2001-2004, four (4) to four and half (4 1/2) hours are enough sleep to show up for PT after an eight hours shift. In fact, I had to show up for PT formation after pulling 22- 24 hours CQ at the Brigade HQ, if not on PT details. Well, we would not win any battle if we cannot adjust. There was a time in Iraq, we had to pull tower duty on 4 hours on, 2 hours off continuously for about 2 weeks due to shortage in manpower. In Kuwait while getting ready to invade Iraq back in 2003, we took great care of our Bradleys all day in a hot sun in the desert until real late. Without any notice, (less than 2 hours) the 1SG just "voluntold" you to KQ, (10 hours shift) and then back to maintenance. We wish we could get rested for 4 hours. If this is a problem for you, you still have an option to not reenlist. As you may already knew, Army career is hard work , and it is not for every body.
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Go to pt!!!!!! Pt is to keep you in shape to survive on the battle field it is not a punishment. Being tired will not get you out of the fight in combat your enemy will not hold the fight because you are tired!!! It is a great chance for you to discover your limitations and get stronger!!!! You're in the army not working at IBM.
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Your leadership knows your problem and is probably trying to figure out a way to look out for you. They might have their hands tied on the matter though so give them some time to work it out on their end. In the mean time start trying to figure out a good sleep schedule just in case they cant figure something out.
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You don’t. You go to PT at one of those times and go back to bed afterwards if you need more sleep.
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You can also do PT while at the hospital, you just need to talk to you PSG and PL to have it scheduled on the training calendar.
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Stop Whining and start going to PT, if you are only getting 4-5 hours of sleep that is on you. PT is required of all Soldiers - Officers and Enlisted... it also the only dedicated 1.5 hrs of each day that is required to be scheduled on your weekly training Calendar.
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If the Commander says PT at 0530 or 1660, you go, period! Sounds like you have a great MOS as far as duty hours are, but you will follows orders or face the consequences.
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What WOW you have it Made....
Hopefully you don't get deployed you can say goodbye to sleep....
Hopefully you don't get deployed you can say goodbye to sleep....
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There is a reason the 1SG wants you there at zero dark thirty. Take it as a compliment. While there is nothing wrong with asking your PLT SGT to ask for reconsideration, I wouldn't expect much change. Don't hesitate to ask, everyone is an adult and is entitled to speak on how they feel, not that all with care on your feelings but that is okay. As a team, we need to be able to better understand one another and learn to deal with each other on a professional level. Keeping quiet can makes things worse for yourself and morale; things that need to be avoided as some may walk, leaving the team that much smaller.
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Get a nap in the after PT and before your 1600 shift. If you’re worried about this just wait until you Get deployed or hit civilian life. You do what’s needed, no questions asked. Embrace the suck and move on.
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What the sh*t? There were many times I’d PT still very drunk and running only on 2-3 hours of sleep. One time I forgot I filled my camel pack with Vodka and I had to do a 3 mile run dried up with no water. Suck it up. You’re not in a position to be asked to do thongs that others haven’t been able to do before you.
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The way you resolve this issue effectively and professionally is show up for PT @ 0530 as this is part of your duty. Ask yourself what's going to happen, not if but when you hit the combat zone? It is your duty as an American Soldier to maintain yourself, be technically and tactically proficient in all tasks. This shouldn't even be a topic of conversation from a Professional Soldier.
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So, let me sum it up professionally -- SUCK IT UP, Specialist. Think four hours of sleep disqualifies you for doing your duty in a combat zone or during a deployment.
First eight months I was in the Air Force, I was sent from one Army post to another. Didn't disqualify me from falling in at a company formation or falling out for PT. Didn't gripe either when the first sergeant issued tooth brushes to clean the dirt out of the cracks in the Linoleum.
Are you in the Army or not?
First eight months I was in the Air Force, I was sent from one Army post to another. Didn't disqualify me from falling in at a company formation or falling out for PT. Didn't gripe either when the first sergeant issued tooth brushes to clean the dirt out of the cracks in the Linoleum.
Are you in the Army or not?
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I remember when I first got into Iraq as a Marine Corps infantryman, I got about 4 hours of interrupted sleep each day for about the first month, an hour or so here and an hour or so there.
Leading up to my deployments, it was not unusual to be sleep deprived during training. Suck it up. If you can't perform under these conditions, then you don't deserve to be in the military. You're not doing your part if you expect the rules to be changed because you're tired. This isn't the civilian world, and if you wish it were, maybe you shouldn't have joined in the first place.
Leading up to my deployments, it was not unusual to be sleep deprived during training. Suck it up. If you can't perform under these conditions, then you don't deserve to be in the military. You're not doing your part if you expect the rules to be changed because you're tired. This isn't the civilian world, and if you wish it were, maybe you shouldn't have joined in the first place.
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Segmented sleep, where you sleep for 4 hours, stay up for around 2 hours, then go to sleep for another 4, is supposedly a better way to sleep.
You should have time for 4 hours of sleep before pt, then take 4 hours of sleep after, and you could be better off.
You should have time for 4 hours of sleep before pt, then take 4 hours of sleep after, and you could be better off.
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