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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Responses: 1688
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SSgt Daniel d'Errico
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First, you are whining. Second, you're in the ARMY NOW. Many soldiers pull guard duty, night shift and so on, and have to be doing PT at zero bright thirty. Being Air Force, I worked the 0001 to 0700 shift, had PT at 0730 many times. If I had CQ for the week (1600-0700) and PT at 0730, no excuse, I put on my sneakers and ran PT. You buy yourself an alarm clock with the most annoying alarm and set it to 30 minutes before PT formation forms up and show up for PT. Do your best to stay in formation, hope you buddies haven't just come from clubbing and hope that you'll be helped along, instead of helping them along.
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SFC Rollie Hubbard
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No suck it up and follow orders
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Brad Miller
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You work a 1600-0000 shift, so obviously 1600 formation is out.
Going off-shift at 0000 and needing to be in formation at 0530 does leave you with very little sleep time.
Two questions that (might!) be helpful -- (1) can you get some rack time during the day? Even an hour or two will help a lot. (2) How long is the 1600-0000 shift going to last? If it is a (relatively) short term thing, you might need to just suck it up and lay on the coffee.
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SGT Juan Robledo
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Boo-Hoo get over it, your in the military and there's no room for cry babies, so put on your PT uniform and deal with it
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LCDR Operations Officer
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Go to PT.
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SFC John Fourquet
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Stop whining & go to PT as ordered.
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MAJ Keith FitzPatrick, CPIM, CSCP
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The simple answer is, “Go to PT.”

But to get beyond the simple answer, I need to ask two questions. First, is this a one-time occupancies? If not, why are you only getting 4 to 5 hours of sleep each night?

Personally, I retired in 2004 but I still run most mornings. I get to bed between 2300 and 0000 and have to get up at 0430 to run. I manage it at 58 years old.
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PO2 Paul Dempsey
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Fair is not part of the issue. They signed a contract. If in area a combat area. Would you refuse a night patrol or day patrol because you carried out some earlier duties
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SGT Charles Tillman
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Young soldier, I would suggest that you devote some time to researching the Army regulations before making complaints to command.
FM 22-51 Appendix A-9: Shifts which allow each individual 6 to 8 hours of continuous sleep when feasible are preferred. Provide soldiers with a minimum of 4 hours of uninterrupted sleep in a 24 hour period (6-8 hours optimum). This greatly extends soldiers and crew endurance limits.

See how easy that was? You are entitled to time to get a minimum of 4 hours. It is your responsibility to utilize that time properly or live with the consequences. Complaining about things that comply with the refs because you don’t like them will only serve to cause you problems.
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SPC Carpentry and Masonry Specialist
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SPC Davis, PT is mandatory every morning. There is always a time we’re u might feel exhausted, or not getting enough sleep. But pt is something you should always want to do regardless. It’s essential to your success in the military. And beneficial during deployments. EMBRACE THE SUCK. Adapt and overcome.
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PO2 Jay O'Brien
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You sound like all these snowflakes and millennials maybe you should go sell AVON and quit your whining your in the military not in Dora the explorer
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SPC Clayton Ellzey
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I have done PT hungover with no sleep.
Had to dig deep and get it done.
There is no rule that's says you can't lay back down since you don't report to duty til 1600.
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SMSgt Clayton Cortinas
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Sometime in the near future, my fellow medic, you may end up in a field hospital where you NEVER know when a patient load will suddenly surge and you may have to extend your "shift" and work through 12 - 18 hour DUTY times. Will you have the stamina to carry through or will you request that the casualties stop bleeding long enough for you to take a nap? I flew aeromedical evacuation missions that would go from 17 - 20 hours with little to no time for sleep. While in the Army as a 91C my team would constantly be alerted to return for incoming injuries and your "shift" wasn't over until all had been cared for and bedded down. Even while on the job in the civilian ER I worked it wasn't unusual for a sudden surge in trauma victims that would result in 12 - 16 hour shifts and we had to be back in a few hours for our next assigned shift. Suck it up and get tough, you might just surprise yourself on what you can accomplish. You have the honor of being in a great MOS, do it with pride & honor.
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LCpl Russell Wallace
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Easy solution: shut up and show up. Jesus guy you’re in the military. You don’t get to just pick and choose which parts you want. At least you have a steady schedule and an easy job. You could be stuck in the field for a couple months with MRE shits and 2 hours of sleep per night.
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SGT Cort Landry
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Go to PT... It will build up your system to help you when you have no sleep at all and still have function.
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MSG Arturo Jauregui
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Hospital staff service members enjoy the comforts of a 9-5 type position. Sounds like the 1SG found out that all or most of his Soldiers are a little to comfy there and are not showing up for PT formation. One of the required formations for a typical unit. The only problem here seems to be a misunderstanding that an order to be at PT formation is an issue or problem as the question is posed. There is no problem. Do your job as a Soldier. That includes being at PT formation.
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SPC David S.
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Something I noticed in your question - you stated "my section is the only one in the hospital that has a 1600-0000 shift." So are there others in your company making it to PT? Just saying if you can demonstrate its not an individual issue might be able to work out an alternate schedule with your top for your section. This may require some creativity to fix but you can do it. However in the mean time show up to PT. Don't piss off you top as it will not help in finding a way to resolve your sleep deprivation.
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CPL James Barnstead
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Sleeps a crutch you don’t need it. Get Deployed, have kids or get a job working midnights in the civilian world.
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GySgt Tony Capps
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My initial response is that this isn't problem and to yell at you. But you're young and it DOES suck. Get used to suck. I lat moved after my first enlistment and had midnight shift classes but still had to be up for CO PT. It is what it is. If it helps (at your young age and rank maybe it won't) understand that your CO has a duty to report the fitness level of his company to HIS CO. So, in essence, he has to do this. You made the choice to serve, but I believe (and hope) that you will see that your brothers will serve you right back. Hang in there, toughen up, and you'll be proud of yourself for doing so. Oohrah, soldier!
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MAJ John Douglas
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PT is optional???? Imagine a First Sgt noticing only 5 soldiers at PT! Too late, you do sound like you are whining.
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PO2 Joseph Fast
PO2 Joseph Fast
6 y
It's not about PT. It's about the time. Imagine you were working 0800-1300, but had to come in at 0100 in the morning for a task you can EASILY do at 0630 or 1330. It just doesn't make sense. You would not be happy being told you have to come into work at 0100 to workout.
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