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?

There is no problem to solve! In combat, are you going to be able to say that you will stand watch, go on a patrol, man a post, defend the perimeter, etc., only when you have had enough sleep? Put on your big girl panties and do your job (part of which involves PT).

This is where your First Line has to fulfill his responsibilities as your superior and address the situation on your behalf and on behalf of your section. Does s/he have the political skills to negotiate with the 1SGT? Does s/he have the moral courage to take the issue to the Commander, if unsuccessful with the 1SGT? Just as important, does s/he have a plan for how your section will fulfill the requirement to engage in PT?

I suggest that your section assemble for PT formation, led by your First Line, at a specified time that allows sufficient sleep and still allows all to meet their shift times. Now, can your First Line sell that to your 1SGT and Commander?

WOW as a Jr. Enlisted(Whatever that is) i can't believe you are even asking that question. If you are ordered to PT,YOU GO TO PT. Attempt to speak with the Platoon Sgt and explain the situation calmly and professionally. If he cant be reasoned with you have a chain of Command. But in the meantime DO the PT. DUDE 5 hours of sleep!!! That's a vacation!!

You are a scrub!

I think most of the answers are missing the issue that the 1SG has established two periods for PT. One in the morning and one in the afternoon. This is far from a toxic leadership issue. It is one of basic military readiness. If the SPC chooses to go to the 1600 then he is coming off of a full 8 hours of sleep. Sorry folks, I think the 1SG is in the right.

I get it, your work schedule is different than most and should be considered when adopting/developing a PT program. Maybe the 1SG could detail one of the NCOs in your section to lead PT another time of day.

Perhaps you should explain to your supervisor the necessity to be at the 1600 formation.

Suck it up. Do what you're told. The only way they can break you is if you allow it. Consider it a test of your fortitude. Don't give anyone the satisfaction of turning you into a whiner. Keep the faith. Follow the chain of command procedures if you feel things aren't correct.

How bout you fuckin sleep from 0700 to 1500. There I just gave you 8hrs of sleep. Your sleep pattern is not the priority. Manning your position and conducting you duties from 1600-0000 is. ADJUST YOUR PRIORITIES, get it done and be the best at it.

Going on 4-5 hours of sleep is typical in the military. In the Navy we were often told “you’ll have time to sleep when you are dead.” Apparently for some sailors stationed on 2 different DDG’s out of Japan, that actually became the case. During my 20 years of service, the typical attitude was that sleep was a luxury. In the case of the Navy, they’ve cut the size gor far too long, so now they’re trying to do the same amount of work with less than a third of the resources. SLEEP IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL, as you need to sleep for the body to repair itself. I think you may need to over the 1SG’s head on this. It’s one thing to run on little sleep when you’re deployed, but when you’re not, going without sleep shouldn’t become a normal daily routine. Sounds to me like your 1SG is more interested in butt kissing the new commander than he is in taking proper care of his people. THAT SHOULD NEVER BE THE CASE. Throughout history, one of the prime causes of accidents in the military is a lack of sleep.