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?

By nutting up and doing your PT..

I would go to your Section leader and Platoon Sergeant and tell your concern and then ask him to see if he can't get another time for those of you who work that particular shift. If he won't asked to see the First Sergeant and if that doesn't work go see the Commander during his open office time. The Commander has said all will conduct PT...and that order must be obeyed so ask for a 3d time for those who have to work that particular shift. But if it isn't forthcoming you have to do the 0530 PT and then go back to bed after it is over.

Talk to your SGT about it & use the 'chain of command.' Attend PT as ordered & look for solutions. That's what leaders do.

Unfortunately for you, you must show up for PT. You are at the bottom of the totem pole, and, as a junior enlisted, you are indeed stuck. Army Regulations support your Company Commander and 1SG on this one. Get up, do your PT, clean up, go back to bed until it's time to get up for work.

You go to PT

First, I would see if there was any way to get adequate rest. Stop going to the Club, get into the sack early, etc. It is possible that you've already done that. If that is the case, I would recommend looking up the Regs for something called "Crew Rest" then contact the IG. Cite the Regs, then let them know the facts. Keep it professional.

As an adaptation, I note that, while 0530 is only five hours off your shift, PT would likely last one, maybe two hours at most. This brings you to 0730, at the latest. You have from (I'd say) 0800 or so, at the latest, to midnight for other activities. I would hit the sack and get supplemental rest from 0800 to noon or one. Then you would have from when you got up to midnight for dining, etc. Leave any "fun" stuff for the weekends. If you can do this, you might get a leg up on your competition; you have shown adaptability and your unit should appreciate that.

As an EM I pulled a late shift job, by the time I was in bed it was 1 a.m.. If we had PT I had to be there. It was a rare occasion when they left me in bed, but I don't recall ever sleeping beyond normal wake up. I reported to my assigned job in the a.m.. and would seek a place to sleep. My problem was solved by one of my local 1st Sgts in the training Brigade, who gave me a room in one of the then semi vacant wooden barracks to grab some z's. It worked out great, it was across the road from my assigned position. There is more to this story but I won't go there. It became my residence and I only showed up at the company when I was on the duty roster. The roughest time I had in the Army was doing pots and pans when they made hot dogs with cheese. 073.10 the best MOS the Army had. LOL!! I didn't ask for it, they just gave it to me. It was the old Army back in the early 60's, us civilians were called to fight in Berlin, and then Cuba. You can adjust your sleeping arrangements via your unit, but you have to be there for announced formations and the duty rooster. As long as you aren't gold bricking, some arrangement can be made. Use the chain of command. That's 60 yrs ago, hopefully you can still do that.

PT is an essential function of your duty. You PT when you are in garrison, and even when you are in a combat zone if possible. There is no reason to NOT do PT. It is as much a part of your job in the Military as your MOS. Find a reason to do PT as opposed to excuses not too. In 32 years I never missed a PT test nor did I fail one. I just accepted that it is a part of my life in the Military. That being said if it is truly interfering with your main duties because of scheduling conflicts then I would recommend you put together a plan to do PT before or after your work schedule. Get a group together that is with your squad or unit and ASK your first line leader if he would approve of such an idea. What ever you do in the Military always use your chain of command. DO NOT go straight to TOP with this issue. That will not go well with your next line leader. That is his or her job.

On a second note about PT. I am now retired and will turn 57 in October. I still till this day do PT even retired. Not because I HAVE too. Because I CAN! Use PT not just for your job but for your health and longevity. Make it part of your every day routine even when you are on leave or just vegging out. Your body and mind will thank you for it in your older age Soldier.

War takes no pause unless the enemy is defeated. The Military is always preparing to conduct battle. It is part of the conditioning and unfortunately it is part of the preparation. Eat when you can, Sleep when you can and Work when you must!

To be honest I worked that hospital life. If you’re working nights and your command wants you to go to PT at 0500 after working your night shift, utilitize your first sergeant/commanders open door policy. Tell them it’s absolutely unacceptable and list your reasons why. If they are unresponsive tell them you would like to utilize the CSM/LTC open door policy. Keep going up from there. You might get shit on, but I guarantee you at some point down the line someone will shut that shit down.

As for all of the other people commenting here, they probably never worked in a hospital and are just telling you to suck it up because they think you’re on cq or staff duty, not working in a lab where a mistake could be costly to them or their loved ones. Fight the good fight and stand up for yourself. Hospital life can suck a whole lot to be honest. You work shit hours and get shit on a lot. It’s the name of the game but don’t let them fuck you like that.