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?

Just try it before You claim can’t do it!….

LoL in my experience either you suck and leaving a ton out, crappy leadership, or maybe being lower enlisted you have no clue what is going on upper echelon…

Time for your PLTSGT to step up. It’s their responsibility to discuss and press home w/ the 1SG, the needs of the troops to a workable solution. What was your last APFT score? If a pass, then this will support the PLTSGT argument. Ultimately, it’s PT until an alternative solution is approved

Sounds like you will be doing a split shift sleeping..or maybe do laundry untill time for PT ...go home after PT eat some thing and go to bed..wake up eat go to work...you have now become a day sleeper..we have all done that very do able

Buck up, I would have to do PT after working doing 56 hours in a 72 hour period. Hell I would show up for PT after being out all night drinking.

But if it really that big of a deal bring it up with your NCO to send up the coc. Or Invite the 1st to follow your section for a 1600 to 0000 shift.

Look, you’re a Lab tech that works in a Hospital providing patient care services. The people on here saying that you should be able to do your job with 3-4 hours sleep are just talking out their rears. Let them see you mess up a lab draw, miss a stick on their dependents, contaminate or mix up test orders or results etc.
Your Command should understand that you work 16-00 and either set up a 1330 PT session for Night Shift or some sort of exception. Maybe they are not tracking your shift, never assume. Good luck.

I realize this is an old post, but I'm surprised and how many "Suck it up, buttercup" responses there are here. What the OP has highlighted is a bad command decision and she would like to know how she can bring it to the attention of her superiors, who may not realize the effect it has on her particular section, in a way that is constructive. What does rolling with it teach her as a future leader? If there is a reason for the two times, then her NCO should give it to her straight. Perhaps she should in the end suck it up, but she should feel comfortable bringing what she sees as a problem for her section to their attention.

For those who don't see it as a problem, I ask: What is the benefit of making a whole hospital section do PT 5.5 hours after they end their shift? This would be akin to the command requiring PT at 2230 for those working a standard day shift. I imagine there is also a 0000 to 0800 shift as well, which would be similar in effect, if not worse. What sense does it make? There is a time and a place for pushing your people to perform on reduced sleep for limited durations. But the only apparent reason for doing so here is because they want PT do be done at one of two time slots? And with no end in sight? Even if the section was failing to keep up physical regs on their own, this would not make sense. Have the night shifts PT as a section before or after their shift, just like what the command is offering everyone else. If they can't trust the NCO's of that section to do that, then the command has bigger problems than attending PT.

Read up on FM 7-22, recommend a second pt formation for people on your shift, and volunteer to lead the sessions yourself.

Has anyone talked to the 1SG?

In this particular case (specifically), you have an open door policy with your CSM. Am sure s/he would ensure you get the proper amount of sleep necessary - and help mitigate the utilization of the other 16-hrs of your day! They have special slots set aside on their daily calendar for these types of issues…
Secondly, I would consider reaching out to your local union representative at your voting station upon receiving your mail-in ballot. Only they can deal with these things at the highest of levels!
Third, consider speaking to the Units Fitness Trainer (Sometimes known as an MFT - they used to have a patch they wear) within your organization and make them sit-down and re-evaluate FM 7-22 with your Command - it’s your right as a soldier. Don’t tell them any different, it’s your sleep - Don’t lose out on any more of it!
Lastly, get with your Supply NCO and request some 8540-00-281-8360 for your Section NCO or Squad Leader. It’s just due diligence on your part - they will appreciate your effort!
All the best…