Posted on Jun 12, 2019
SPC(P) Medical Laboratory Specialist
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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?
Edited 6 y ago
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CWO4 Tim Hecht
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SPC(P) Davis - I may feel your pain but I have no sympathy for you. Callous? Pretty sure that I am with my comment. Your brothers and sisters in arms are the tip of the proverbial spear and if lucky exist on 8 hours of sleep spread out over 3 days. Your comment indicates you are assigned to a hospital. Seek out any Medic at your unit who has served in an active combat zone - ask them to tell you about a typical day while serving with a combat unit.

I worked with an Air Force reserve nurse who deployed several times to a hospital in Baghdad, Iraq whose mission was trying to save the lives of Soldiers, Airman, Marines, and Sailors who were critically injured by snipers, suicide bombers, or roadside IEDs. She didn't want to talk about it at work but she did (still does) have a strong support group. I know a former Army Medic sho suffered from PTSD - why you ask? Squirrel (his nickname) was hung up on "I couldn't save them all." I don't imagine he got a lot of sleep on active duty and know without "chemical" help he spent many a sleepless night - even in rehab.

I won't insult you with some of the comments that could come your way, have come your way, or not; but I grew up in the military starting as an immature 18 year old in 1970 and used to listen to the more "senior" enlisted (when they were in a sharing mood) say it all works out in twenty years. It does.

On a side note, but related to PT: I'm 70-1/2 years old and at the direction of my Primary Care Doctor, my Cardiologist, and the Cardio-Thoracic Surgeon I start PT 2 days a week, for 2 hours a day, for 12 weeks. At least I have the luxury of picking what time of day I get to start. I opted for the afternoon session. Is it mandatory. No but it is voluntary; but if I want to live beyond 70-1/2 years old I need to do it. On the 1st of December last year (It seems like it just happened - wait it did!) I had a Triple Bypass. After 30 years of dealing with cardiac issues I finally had a team of doctors who all agreed that the bypass surgery was a life saver for me.

So SPC(P) Davis when the "whistle" blows for PT fall in sharply and due the best you can - you could end up in a combat zone where sleep comes in 10 - 15 minutes pauses in between casualties. I don't know what your MOS is but you're assigned to a hospital so I suspect its a medical field related job - you may not be a medic working in a squad, platoon, or company but you won't be far from the action; and you will probably reflect on those days when a few hours of your sleep were interrupted by PT.
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Sgt Luis Bonilla
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Adjust and overcome you voluntarily accepted to join the the finest and BEST military in the world you HAVE to adjust and overcome any obstacle it’s mine over matter
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GySgt Charles O'Connell
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Wow! Only 5 showed up to what I can only assume is a Co. C.O. ordered event. I think maybe there are greater problems within this unit.
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SGT Deborah Jones-deleon
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Quit being a pushy or get out of the military. Suck it up and drive on soldier
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SGT Dave Adams
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Sounds like you're whining. I have come in to do PT on 1/2 hour's sleep, and it didn't have any adverse effects. And you're on the E-5 list? You should know better. Here's an idea - run the issue past your NCO support channel and see what they say. Use the Chain of Command. It's been known to work
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SPC David C.
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You said it yourself, you're "junior" enlisted. You go to PT and get it done. Not sure why this is even a question. You want out of it? Show your first shirt you're a PT stud. Max out E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G and he'll find someone else to focus on. Until you can do that, you need to understand you're at the bottom of the food chain and anything you do to stir the pot is going to make things harder on you.
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CWO5 Jeffrey Backus
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Is this daily? or a few times a week? I'd say suck it up, PT and keep yourself fit.
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SPC Carlton Phelps
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You don't solve this. You get off your butt and get busy. As our DS told us, in 1969, will you be complaining about being tired as you are being shot at? I worked out with stress fractures in both feet. Of course, I'm paying for that now, but we had only a couple of ways to get out of PT and neither was much of a choice.
You enlisted and these men are there to train you and maybe save your life later. I hated them at the time but I learned I could handle much more than I thought.
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SSgt Ann Kovarik
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Suck it up buttercup!
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SGT Wayne Grindstaff
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My Co had a perfect response to a 2nd Lt. that complained his men weren't getting enough sleep. Understand we were in a active combat area, all he said was "The Army says a solider only needs 2 hours sleep a day, be happy with that". My Co was a West Pointer and highly respected by all of us that served under him. Not getting sleep is good training for after the service, whether is working 36 hours straight on double time or a party weekend.
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