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?

Maybe you should say a prayer on your way to pt. A prayer of thanks for not being deployed living in a tent and not knowing who will shoot at you next.
The military regardless of branch or duty assignment makes demands on us that most would never accept.

I'm reminded of a common run cadence as I'm reading this question: "Don't fall out, you gotta DEAL with it!!" It's the Army Soldier. Sleep is something that you may not have control of for the entire time you are in the Army, but you can control your level of motivation. Use your chain of command and address the issue. If your command cannot accommodate your request, use your resiliency skills and go all out during PT. This is what we signed up for. Drink water and adjust fire!

The way you solve this issue is to grow up. I am a veteran and sleep is a luxury you dont always get. If you cannot handle the rigors of the last watch imagine getting the midwatch and 0000-0400 and still having a full day. Now imagine that in a war zone with someone who believes they get to go to heaven for putting a bullet in you. Think he is going to stop trying to kill you because its nappy time and you want your juice box and blankie? Please let me know who your recruiter was so I can go and slap him.

So your section is 1600-0000 but no one has 0000-0800 shift? Like others have said, not guaranteed 8 hours sleep in the military. But op has more of a chance than most deployed personnel for a total of 8 hours sleep, even if it's a broken 8 hours

I listened to a talk recently given by one of the CEOs at AT&T where she discussed her Seven "C"s of leadership. One of them was Compassion or empathy. I served for 30 years in the Army with two combat tours in Iraq. Through all those years I found that I received more dedication and commitment from my Soldiers through being an understanding leader than by beating them up. Don't misconstrue my meaning of compassion by assuming I coddled my Soldiers. I expected a great deal out of them, but I usually didn't have to demand or even ask it of them because they demanded it of themselves knowing that they had leadership that didn't make unreasonable demands and also had their backs when necessary. Making the personal choice to stay late at the club on your downtime rather than sleeping is vastly different than not having the time to sleep due to mission demands. Granted there are times when operational requirements will cause Soldiers to have to make do with less sleep, but to wantonly require it can cause unnecessary issues from sleep deprivation. Fit, well rested Soldiers are better prepared to handle demanding deployments that require long shifts with little sleep. Depriving them of sleep leading up to deployments only breaks down their systems and makes them less capable of dealing with the stresses they will face. Leadership needs to learn how to find solutions to problems that don't punish those that are doing what is required of them. One-size-fits-all punishment displays a lack of effort by leaders.

As for how to approach the problem, I would suggest trying to come with an alternative plan to offer. If the unit PT levels are below standard, that is likely the underlying issue that the 1SG is trying to resolve. If your section is part of the reason standards are low, that is a concern. Additionally, if your score is below par, that is an issue as well. Find out what the real reason behind the mandatory attendance requirement is and address that. Since everyone in your section is working these extended hours, is there someone in your section that could come up with a physical fitness plan and the section be accountable for conducting its own PT? You need to come to leadership with an alternative that will meet their underlying concerns. You don't want to go to leadership with a complaint without an understanding of what the true issue is and suggestions with ways to resolve it. The attitude of "suck it up" doesn't prepare you on how to be a good leader yourself. Take this opportunity to learn how to solve problems.

Does your commander and/or 1st Shirt also have input to the duty roster? If so, ask if you can adjust your shift schedule to 1500 to 2300 to better accomodate your commander's PT requirement - seems as though there may be a disconnect in management with your unit and that chain of command thing can work to your benefit when used as designed - Problem solved.

you show up for PT first of all 2nd if you feel you have a valid complaint run it through your chain of command. life in the military is very simple follow orders and use your chain of command and always know your command regulations and directives it would behove you

I think the 1SG made a “shooting from the hip” decision out of anger because of lack of participation in PT. Therefore, the 1SG should re-evaluate their PT schedule. Do they want it to be accomplished before duty starts or ends? 0530 and 1600 sounds like optional times for day shift. If it’s the former, then the 2d PT session (intended for 2d shift) should start at 1430 so the troops can shower and be ready to work at 1600.

I know this is a long paragraph a doesn’t answer your question. I’d hate to be in your shoes but the best advice I can offer is use your chain of command. Start with your immediate supervisor and work your way up.

I'm curious, which Army hospital are you working at? The last time I did PT at an Army hospital that early in the morning was 2005 at Walter Reed. Bear in mind I was coming from a Combat Support Hospital from Iraq so my attitude was different. I loved it and I hated the whining from the troops who didn't want to be at PT so you'll get no sympathy from me. To answer your question, there is no regulation that covers what time physical fitness should be performed, however; AR 350-1 and FM 21-20 discuss commander's responsibilities as it pertains to physical fitness. Additionally, FM 21-10, Chapter 3, discusses the leadership's responsibility for fitness in a field/combat environment. One point to consider is that a soldier must have 3-4 hours of continuous sleep to perform 24hrs or more continuous operations. Let that sink in for a moment. If you can't handle it now, take SFC Davila advice and seek another profession. Given this Great Resignation that's occuring in America it wouldn't be hard for you to find another job. The solution is for you to manage your time better, get some rest, and be ready to perform PT when the time comes. The more you perform PT the better you become conditioned and you won't find yourself tired now go do some PT. Hooah!

Sounds like you best obey your command. Until you can determine a solution. As a cmdr I always had an open door policy. If your going to go discuss it with your Commander, that is your right but inform your ENTIRE Chain of Command (CoC) that you are going to discuss the PT situation with your commander. If your cmdr has an open door policy than it is your legal right you see her/him, if any NCO stops you take note of the time the day and exactly what was said. However, b4 going to your commander you should try to discuss the situation with your CoC. But FIRST come up with a solution to your problem. Now when you do see your commander you better have a solution that will work. As a soldier in todays military you are expected to think act take the initiative to solve a problem in the absense of leadership.
You really do not supply enough information. As your commander if you presented this problem to me the very first thing I would ask you is to see your work schedule. My next question would be to ask you what you recommend. If your standing there with nothing your going to look like a child but if your prepared than you look strong. Also, check and see what other soldiers in your command are in the same situation. The surgeon general reccomends 7 hrs of sleep, work from there. Let us know how it went!

Patrick Mulloney
LTC USAR (RET)