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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SSgt John Vela
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Listen Sad Sack... If you're writing something like this, you shouldn't even be in the service. Put on your big boy pants and man up.
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SPC Drug Suppression Team Investigator
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Go to your first line and request shift PT. The army has multiple MOS’s that require to work shifts. MPs do it, cooks do it Medical personnel do it. MOS’s with shift work should do shift specific PT.

After I work my 8 hour day shift 0315-1300 (sometimes later if someone decides to try and sneak drugs into the gate) and then we do PT right after we get off.

But for Swings for instance we would go into PT at 0930 before a 1200 weapons draw and 1730 before a 1900 weapons draw for Mid shift. It’s not an unusual thing to do shift PT. Easiest thing to do is request that it be that way.
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Cpl Andrew Jamrozek
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Having worked night shift after my Marine Corps service, I feel your pain. From working against your body's circadian rhythm to daily outside noises, I don't think people who don't work overnight fully understand how hard it is to get quality sleep to begin with, which is what's indirectly being asked of you.
I would raise the issue that this is pretty counterproductive to PT's intent, especially working in a medical environment. Averaging 4-5 hours of sleep with work and PT under the added stress of discipline is asking for a compromised immune system. I'd address this with my chain of command and ask for some sort of exception, even if that meant spending lunch doing my PT instead.
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SFC Facility Chief
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You have 9 hours after PT to sleep. What's the problem?
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SGT David Petree
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change your habits !! go to bed early get plenty of sleep. or just pt drunk ! we did it in Germany way back when. most guys ran better on Mon. then on Fri. get your shit in gear.
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COL William Oseles
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I was Junior enlisted at one time and you have a couple of options.
1) Talk to your PLT SGT and explain the scheduling issue and request an earlier or later time;
2) Talk to your Supervisor if you are uncomfortable talking with the PSG;
2) or show up,show up at 0530.
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1px xxx
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Awww you poor thing. You have a swing shift, and no way to make accountability with anyone, and you are whining becuase you have to wake up to show up. Maybe you should go talk to the Behavior specialists in the stress office so you can find some way to manage your time, or GROW A PAIR, get your Team leader, Squad leade, and PSG and march them ll into the 1SG;s office and explain tohem that whle everyone else is given their 8 hours to speep, you re getting fucked becuase you are on swing shift without a solution to accountability.
Here's your solution cucpcake: CALL YOUR PSG for accountability, then go back to sleep, OR maybe your entire shift should go to your shit manager and have that person step up and get their accountability done with 1SG so you all are not affected negatively.
MAJ A/Xo
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Stories like yours are why soldiers are get out because of a lack of common sense leadership. The army has work/rest cycles that were "supposed" to follow but never do. If you work an odd shift leadership "should" take that into account and tell you to do PT at a reasonable time with your shift supervisior....or do PT on your own. I work a night shift and it never suprises me how leadership at all levels forgets that not everyone works durinng the day only.
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SFC Infantryman
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Lol get you life together and learn some time management skills...
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CWO4 Miles Weaver
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There is no problem to solve. You're in the military -- go to PT.
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CWO4 Miles Weaver
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There is no problem to solve! In combat, are you going to be able to say that you will stand watch, go on a patrol, man a post, defend the perimeter, etc., only when you have had enough sleep? Put on your big girl panties and do your job (part of which involves PT).
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MAJ Clyde Howell
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This is where your First Line has to fulfill his responsibilities as your superior and address the situation on your behalf and on behalf of your section. Does s/he have the political skills to negotiate with the 1SGT? Does s/he have the moral courage to take the issue to the Commander, if unsuccessful with the 1SGT? Just as important, does s/he have a plan for how your section will fulfill the requirement to engage in PT?

I suggest that your section assemble for PT formation, led by your First Line, at a specified time that allows sufficient sleep and still allows all to meet their shift times. Now, can your First Line sell that to your 1SGT and Commander?
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MAJ Clyde Howell
MAJ Clyde Howell
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Addemdum: To add, SFC Michael D is absolutely correct as far as sleep. If deployed in any capacity you may very well have to work on 4-5 hours of sleep (or less) and still be effective. Can't do anything about that.
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Cpl Jim Zimmerman
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WOW as a Jr. Enlisted(Whatever that is) i can't believe you are even asking that question. If you are ordered to PT,YOU GO TO PT. Attempt to speak with the Platoon Sgt and explain the situation calmly and professionally. If he cant be reasoned with you have a chain of Command. But in the meantime DO the PT. DUDE 5 hours of sleep!!! That's a vacation!!
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MSG Michael Tribble
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You are a scrub!
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COL Jim Ainslie
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I think most of the answers are missing the issue that the 1SG has established two periods for PT. One in the morning and one in the afternoon. This is far from a toxic leadership issue. It is one of basic military readiness. If the SPC chooses to go to the 1600 then he is coming off of a full 8 hours of sleep. Sorry folks, I think the 1SG is in the right.
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CSM Donald McGlasson
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I get it, your work schedule is different than most and should be considered when adopting/developing a PT program. Maybe the 1SG could detail one of the NCOs in your section to lead PT another time of day.
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SP5 Ann Parris
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Perhaps you should explain to your supervisor the necessity to be at the 1600 formation.
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GySgt Marc Dickerson
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Suck it up. Do what you're told. The only way they can break you is if you allow it. Consider it a test of your fortitude. Don't give anyone the satisfaction of turning you into a whiner. Keep the faith. Follow the chain of command procedures if you feel things aren't correct.
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SGT Lawrence Frank
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How bout you fuckin sleep from 0700 to 1500. There I just gave you 8hrs of sleep. Your sleep pattern is not the priority. Manning your position and conducting you duties from 1600-0000 is. ADJUST YOUR PRIORITIES, get it done and be the best at it.
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CPO Jeffrey Bohemier
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Going on 4-5 hours of sleep is typical in the military. In the Navy we were often told “you’ll have time to sleep when you are dead.” Apparently for some sailors stationed on 2 different DDG’s out of Japan, that actually became the case. During my 20 years of service, the typical attitude was that sleep was a luxury. In the case of the Navy, they’ve cut the size gor far too long, so now they’re trying to do the same amount of work with less than a third of the resources. SLEEP IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL, as you need to sleep for the body to repair itself. I think you may need to over the 1SG’s head on this. It’s one thing to run on little sleep when you’re deployed, but when you’re not, going without sleep shouldn’t become a normal daily routine. Sounds to me like your 1SG is more interested in butt kissing the new commander than he is in taking proper care of his people. THAT SHOULD NEVER BE THE CASE. Throughout history, one of the prime causes of accidents in the military is a lack of sleep.
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