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
Main point up Front. Do your required PT.
FIND and read the Reg. This is all part of gaining knowledge. With computers, CD'S, and Smartphones,
its simple. Years ago locating a hard copy Regulation was tedious. Do some research.
Main Point,
Don't use your MOS as an excuse. Do your mandatory PT.
Regards, Paul Ayotte, US ARMY,
1SG, (Retired).
FIND and read the Reg. This is all part of gaining knowledge. With computers, CD'S, and Smartphones,
its simple. Years ago locating a hard copy Regulation was tedious. Do some research.
Main Point,
Don't use your MOS as an excuse. Do your mandatory PT.
Regards, Paul Ayotte, US ARMY,
1SG, (Retired).
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man whats it like getting 4-5 hours of sleep? i'm grateful for more than 2 hours of uninterrupted sleep. maybe suggest a mid day pt group for those on assignment to odd hour duty? ask for a different assignment? fall asleep at work? i'm just seeing this is over a year old, dont know why it came up in my feed. hope you figured it out. btw life only gets harder in case you didnt know, add in a wife kids, stress , deployments, etc you get a whole crucible of effed up. seems like yesterday i was a spec 4 in the desert, pulling duty an hour before stand-to, so then i had to do both back to back, then go and perform my regular job. now its been 20 years since i was playing spades in the motor pool on sept 11th and getting told we were deploying. ah where does the time go...
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I can remember doing pt always on short sleep or going to the field at 0300 for artillery training , you will just have to deal with the short sleep and since you work at the hospital you at least get to return to sleep. if something don't feel right you can make your case known but you still have to deal with the circumstance until it is addressed. as part of the E4 mafia you get stuck with both having to carry out orders and some times having to lead others while doing it.
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Make an appointment with your ISG. Purpose: to explain your work situation relative to company PT policy. You should be given an opportunity to explain your concerns. Ultimately, your ISG will decide the right course of action. If he/she makes an exception for you, he/she will likely have to consider other exceptions. PT is essential to a Soldier’s ability to perform his/her mission, i.e. unit readiness.
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I agree that it is not the ideal situation to work a second shift and then have to show up for PT on 4-5 hours of sleep. But, you volunteered to be in the military and all that has to offer good and bad. I was awarded the combat medical badge during my enlistment and while getting 2 maybe 3 hours of sleep a night if I was lucky. The grunts that cared for were appreciative that Doc was always there for them. Simply put, the enemy doesn’t care how much sleep you get. Training under stress will help you prepare for the stress of combat and will help you manage the stresses you will face later in life after the military. Keep in mind you always have the weekend to catch up on the sleep you are missing during the week.
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Get your ass out of bed and report to formation. It's not difficult to understand. What is this new generation coming to when they whine and cry about not getting enough sleep in the military. If you are a non-hacker get out and let someone who actually wants to serve, fill your half-assed slot.
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It appears the 1SG and his company definitely have an issue. His company is very specialized and the soldiers need 7-8 hours of sleep to routinely keep their patients alive.
It appears a powwow is needed with his senior NCO’s; PT is an important function of all soldiers. I’m sure a training schedule can be maintained for all shifts. It is possible to structure the 1SG’s PT request (demand). As all soldiers understand, a ‘No-Go’ stamp on your PT card is a decrement to a soldier’s future for promotion, Advanced course, MOS, and personal time.
Any change to any schedule, will not have everyone content but the Command and enlisted can conduct their PT and work standards better with 7-8 hours of sleep. Hooah!
It appears a powwow is needed with his senior NCO’s; PT is an important function of all soldiers. I’m sure a training schedule can be maintained for all shifts. It is possible to structure the 1SG’s PT request (demand). As all soldiers understand, a ‘No-Go’ stamp on your PT card is a decrement to a soldier’s future for promotion, Advanced course, MOS, and personal time.
Any change to any schedule, will not have everyone content but the Command and enlisted can conduct their PT and work standards better with 7-8 hours of sleep. Hooah!
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I'm in the been there done that, though not with a medical unit.
My last assignment was with a joint DOD Remote Operating Facility (ROF) with government civilians, Army, Navy, Marine, and Air Force personnel working 24/7 rotating shifts. Like yourself, we to had to contend with the demands of our parent and supported organization. If it wasn't PT, then it was military training, and heaven knows what else. If individual PT isn't an option, then best solution, in my experience, was to have PT accomplished at the shift- or platoon-level immediately following your tour of duty.
Set PT schedules that conform to "day shift" schedules, which do not recognize personnel working shift schedules is the "easy" way for unit leadership.
My last assignment was with a joint DOD Remote Operating Facility (ROF) with government civilians, Army, Navy, Marine, and Air Force personnel working 24/7 rotating shifts. Like yourself, we to had to contend with the demands of our parent and supported organization. If it wasn't PT, then it was military training, and heaven knows what else. If individual PT isn't an option, then best solution, in my experience, was to have PT accomplished at the shift- or platoon-level immediately following your tour of duty.
Set PT schedules that conform to "day shift" schedules, which do not recognize personnel working shift schedules is the "easy" way for unit leadership.
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