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
What i didn't see in the original post was how many days a week PT formation is required.
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WOW, back in my basic days we worked till 1-2 AM polishing belt buckles. You know the ones we had to drag over the gravel yard while low crawling cause we didn't do 50 push-ups correctly. Then we were up at 4 to clean the Barracks bay. Oh, then, our DI would deliberately walk thru mud then our just polished bay and demand why the bay was muddy. He did this every day for 12 weeks. This was Ft Campbell Jan 1968. And every swing dick was Nam bound. Except a few enlisted, very few. Ah the good old days. Then AIT at Ft Monmouth NJ was more fun. The chow was so bad we'd empty 2-3 garbage containers of uneaten chow after every meal. Stuff was terrible. Then it was on to Nam. Stop complaining it can always get worse.
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I would talk to your your squad leader or PSG first, maybe then they can resolve this issue. Granted, if you get off shift at 2400 hrs it takes some time to get back to where you need to sleep and get actually get to sleep. Now I've been out partying in my younger days only to get back in time to change into PT uniform or maybe sleep for an hour or two but that was on me (and the guys with me). Use your chain of command before you try the open door policy most commanders and 1SG's have. Talk to your chain in person, not email, unless there's a special reason you want it documented in writing. I would avoid email at first.
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With her situation, she doesn't even have the chance to get the partying side of that equation in. All the suck, none of the fun.
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You can do what we all have done and just go, ask to switch shifts, take a nap after PT or comb your command instructions for some kind of relief but do remember that deployments mean a lot longer hours where I remember only being allowed 6 hours off shift a day.
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LCDR (Join to see)
Deployments are two-shift, but if you're doing that in port, something's gone seriously wrong. That seems to be where she is.
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Not sure if this has been suggested, but could you get together with the others on your shift and see if there is a (third) time that works better for that shift, then bring it to the First Sergeant? If not, the schedule suggested where you go to sleep after PT could work, I’ve had to do something similar in the past. It’s not ideal, but better than nothing. For all of you telling the person to just “suck it up,” this is why we have a retention problem. If you are unwilling to make minor adjustments to schedules to ensure the safety of your people and those they take care of, then don’t complaining about manning shortages when people leave after their initial commitment.
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Yall should be having formation around 0900, jus those that got off at midnight, anytime we worked past 9pm we didnt have to go to first formation
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GO THROUGH YOUR CHAIN TO DO THIS...Suggest that your section have PT Formation at 1300 and that they shift start times of shifts to account for PT and Meals.
IF this does not work, Request a transfer to a Line Infantry Battalion as a Medic and wait till you are a Senior Leader and remember what kind of people you had to deal with. Remember every Soldier is you teacher in that you learn what to do or what not to do from them.
IF this does not work, Request a transfer to a Line Infantry Battalion as a Medic and wait till you are a Senior Leader and remember what kind of people you had to deal with. Remember every Soldier is you teacher in that you learn what to do or what not to do from them.
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Unfortunately, Leaders who only work Mon-Fri forget about shift workers who keep their command running. I experienced the same thing. Our Commanding Officer cared so little about shift workers they forced people to go to the weekly Wednesday morning Mandatory Command PT When concerns were raised, the only thing they said is that it is only 1 day a week. When it was pointed out that we had some people who were working over 60 hours a week and expected to go to pt after working an overnight 12 hour shift compared to the day workers working less than 35 hours a week, it was ignored. I was one of those shift workers. I lived on a base 15 miles away along with several other shift workers and we said we would go to the gym there and video our workouts which would save us 3 hours on our days off but that too was ignored. It got so bad that we had a pregnant shift worker fall asleep and rear end a car while driving home after working a shift and then going to Wednesday mando pt. Even that didn't wake them up.
My only advise is to try and talk to your command enlisted advisors and document everything with facts. If the command doesn't come to a responsible conclusion then take your documentation outside the command. I hope it doesn't come to that because it is usually bad for everybody. I only wish I documented what happened at our command more.
My only advise is to try and talk to your command enlisted advisors and document everything with facts. If the command doesn't come to a responsible conclusion then take your documentation outside the command. I hope it doesn't come to that because it is usually bad for everybody. I only wish I documented what happened at our command more.
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you will do pt as part of your job in the military. there was the time I got off arm guard duty as I walk in the door pt Alanzo all I sad yes cast or yes sit. or unless you been told other way from the top
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First in for most you go to PT. The world is not fair. In the army doesn't claim to be fair. Afterwords, I repeat afterwards, You go to your first sergeant, And explain the problem. You respectfully put forth your opinion. And I hope he respectfully listens to you. After he is going send, You follow the rules.
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I work in the hospital too. This is very normal. Just take a nap in the afternoon. Most likely after a while they will change PT only mandatery if you failed PT test.
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Seabee Veteran here. At our morning muster, the whole Battalion was there, all 623 of us, even our MCPOC (E9). I don't know what the medical did to cover their posts during this time but everyone except the CO and XO was there and taking part...
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There times I be clubbing into the we hours and still make PT, sometimes still lite. Show up to PT do the PT, and show that badass. Command will see this and make adjustment for the hours you are on duty.
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I was enlisted and officer, I agree with the person who said you have time management problems. On the days you know you have PT you need to sleep before you go to work if 4-5 hours after a shift don't work for you.
THERE ARE NO REGULATIONS STATING you need to sleep before PT.
Agree with when you are deployed you will need get adjusted to getting sleep when you can.
Good luck to you. Thank you for your service and sleep before work.
THERE ARE NO REGULATIONS STATING you need to sleep before PT.
Agree with when you are deployed you will need get adjusted to getting sleep when you can.
Good luck to you. Thank you for your service and sleep before work.
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Take it up the CoC. Explain your current working hours and ask if it is possible to PT at 12 noon.
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