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
I don't know anything about the Army but it might depend on your duties. Check with the ranking Enlisted or go up the ladder.
In the Air Force I was in the Tactical Air Command. We had our on regs ( which were ignored most of the time). Air Force Regs said we had to had 8 hours of UNINTERRUPTED sleep between fights. When I informed my pilot of this his response was---- Get your ass on the airplane! YES SIR. Sometimes you just have to suck it up and move on.
In the Air Force I was in the Tactical Air Command. We had our on regs ( which were ignored most of the time). Air Force Regs said we had to had 8 hours of UNINTERRUPTED sleep between fights. When I informed my pilot of this his response was---- Get your ass on the airplane! YES SIR. Sometimes you just have to suck it up and move on.
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I get it, it sucks. Many times have stayed at the EM and NCO Club way too long, and went to PT on 3-4 hours sleep, I was far from the only one, the formation would smell of sweat, alcohol, and puke. As for only 4-5 people at PT formation, well, that just wouldn’t happen, all my CO’s were PT addicts, one in particular was push up King of Benning back in the day, Having said all that, from the origin of the thread this Soldier is Medical (REMF). For anyone to think that the standards for PT apply equally to Rear echelon and combat arms MOS once at permanent party, ha. And be honest all of you that are CA, if you had the chance to sham on PT, you would and did when the opportunity arose. During the height of my time in I was a Scout with 3/2 ACR on the Czech/FRG Border, we even did PT at the Border Camps, and Mr. Ft. Benning was our CO. I know what the FM say and what the standards, Reg’s are, I also know what the reality is, besides anyone who sites Reg’s and Standards for decision making is a poor leader and will probably get you dead while try to find his FM.
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I will tell you like I was told when I was an E-4 suck it up butter cup. There is no way around it and like SFC Michael said earlier, there is no rest for the weary and if you can't hang, then look into a career field that does not demand so much out of you. Sorry to have to break it to you but as a soldier you do what must be done no matter what. I went through the special forces training and we were put through sleep deprivation so I know what it was like to work with 3 to 4 hours worth of sleep. I don't feel sorry for you just wish that the soldiers were told what they are in for before they join. I enjoyed my time as a soldier and I would not trade it for the world. If I had to do it all over again I would.
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Go to your NCO, follow chain of command Offer to lead a PT session at 1400 for the 1600 starting shift workers
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Try coming back from the field at midnight and be up in pt uniforms at 4:30. That is the military way. And if you can not hack it then you are definitely in the wrong field of work. And the Civilian working area is a place you might not be able to handle either.
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Having been in a medical unit myself (though I was on the line, so I ACTUALLY only got 4 or 5 hours of sleep many nights) I would say it is up to leadership to get a schedule for you. If only 5 ppl showed up to PT one morning, it wouldn't matter what your role was you would be showing up the next day or getting chaptered. It sounds like the 1SG has bigger problems than the medical section. My advice, wait til this all blows over then ask your supervisor to ask for a new PT time that makes sense. Our TMC section had 1600 PT because they started work before morning PT. Sometimes 1SG would show up to make sure they were doing it.
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Just about every suck it up response is wrong. I was a navy nuke, a rating notorious for lack of sleep due to watch rotation and maintenance. That said, we valued every ounce of sleep we got. PT in the navy is done on a self-driven basis, the command doesn't have the time to work you out so you do it on your own. The army needs to get with something like that. group PT is fine like once a week but every day is silly, takes away sleep from people who need it (like those working in a hospital with patients, I want them to sleep), and realistically all it does is piss all of the soldiers off. You are adults. you should be able to handle PT on your own. Unless the army can't handle it, which would point to some major problems with leadership and training.
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Hydrate, stretch, and make sure you have on dry socks. You think the Taliban cares how much dog gone sleep you get? No they want you burned the hell out. Better learn to deal with that now so when it happens then you'll have learned how to function. In other words, stop bitchin, lace up your damn gofasters and get out to the PT Field! 1st Sgt is waiting on you....!
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