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?

I'd say show up to the 0530 formation, but also go through the chain of command to point out this apparent dilemma. Maybe an exception can be made for your section.

I hate to say this high speed but as a Junior Soldier you won't be able to solve this. Now with that being said, your command needs to put together a plan that will accommodate soldiers on shift work. I'm sure there is an NCOIC of your shift that should competent enough to conduct PT for his or her shift. I did it myself as a squad leaders with my Joes when we worked night flights. And if he or she isn't capable of doing that then they shouldn't be in charge of anything.

Suck it up!

You suck it up and go to PT, the alternative is to be a civilian

Suck it up cupcake and get er dun

Go to PT. The Corps has a saying for just the occasion. "Embrace the suck."

Oh my Gosh. PLEASE !!!!!!!! What has happened to the Military? And I mean ALL Branches.

PT plus an 8-hr shift? You got it easy. I recall working 10-16 hour shifts PLUS having to be in unit formations. (even a couple 20+ hour shifts). Granted, we didn't have unit formations every day, being a maintenance and logistics unit, but we only had one crew...day crew (0700-1630) where 1630 really meant until we reached a stopping point or the current logistics emergency was completed (red-stripe).

Sorry but this is one case where you just gotta suck it up. You joined the military and an 8-hr shift with a regular schedule is a luxury many do not have. While deployed we worked 12 on 12 off and were expected to PT on our own time and be ready for PFT, all while under threat of indirect fire constantly. Sleep? What's that?

If you are only getting 4-5 hours of sleep with 8-hour shift work, that sounds like a time management problem. I don't understand the problem. I routinely only got 4-6 hours of sleep when we actually had 8-hour shifts (family still required my time, too).

Are you kidding me? You are in the military; do what you are instructed to do. Quit whining, handle your job, professionally. What are you going to do if the world blows up, and you have to pull a 72-hour shift saving lives? "Sorry that you have a lacerated femoral, but I've only had 5 hours of sleep; I'm outta here." Good lord.

I'm sure our prospective enemies won't schedule an attack and attendant casualties to fit your schedule. Be prepared to work any time, any place, as well as you can for as long as you can. Train for it. Suck it up. Do the PT, then go get some extra rack time.

Your post sounds like you feel singled out. You aren't... if the new orders say "everyone must show up" it's not about you, it's a lack of team cohesion. Why are you only getting a few hours of sleep? Make better choices.

This is a do-over, yes? In any case notheingvhas changed. There is what the should do and what they can do, they can dictate participation. The first time I better articulated more.

Do you work a shift? Do the other shift workers do an alternative PT session for example, lets say you meet at the company to do PT at 1400. Maybe it’s just you but I doubt that. Your leadership needs to come up with a PT plan and present it to the 1SG and see what he has to say about it.

NCO's Make it Happen, Lead by example, simple as that

I cannot believe my eyes that this question is even being asked. Ask yourself what happens between 0000 (midnight) and 1600 (4 pm)? You have 16 hours off. You are obviously poorly educated in time management or missed that class.

Well I know I've been retired for awhile but, wow. Having started my military career as a 91C, what you now call a 68C. I can and will tell you we did PT just like everyone else,and when I was attached to the 82nd in boots as well. And yes my NG Capt there were a few times we showed up hung over(and paid for it).But I do have to ask when did this become a punch the time card kind of job? As this person is promo to E5, I'm guessing this isn't their first PDA. Or has the Army changed that much in 20years?

Physical training requirements build strength & make one physically fit & mentally alert~! The body adapts & that is plenty of sleep for a soldier or the military would not ever endanger your body...the Army's investment. Believe me, that much sleep in a war zone would make you dream you were in Hawaii, on R & R~!

SPC Davis,
I encourage you to research how other hospital units work around shift schedules, acquire some higher ranking support to present these options to your 1SG, and stand by the decision.
Sometimes a command is attempting to “teach” through means not always clear to all. Have you tried speaking with your 1SG? As an E4 I would (privately) have coffee early in the AM (0430’ish) with one of my 1SG’s to discuss matters of the day so my team would be in the know.
Being pro-active to the greater good of all is a leadership quality. If you strive to be a leader, then it would behoove you to try one or all of these options. Blessings in your endeavors in this situation. For no experience is without an opportunity to learn.

You talk to your first-line leader (“FLL”) and present an alternate solution. If it is your entire section that works 1600-0000, suggest to your FLL that he run it up through the NCO Support Channel (i.e. from him to the section sergeant) that the NCOs on that shift be allowed to manage an alternate PT time for your section (or something else entirely that may work for your unit’s specific circumstances- be creative but not Wile E. Coyote). This demonstrates that you are not merely w complainer but someone who seeks to solve problems. Until that is approved, you go to PT and adjust your schedule as needed to maximize your sleep.

Soldiers are only required to receive 4 hours of sleep and they do not have to be continuous. I would raise the issue through your NCO support channel and see if accommodations can be made.

What is the average PT score of your unit? Commanders often make decisions like this when they have a lot of individuals failing the APFT or on the ABCP.

Worse case scenario you just have to suck it up and drive on until you PCS/ETS. Commanders don’t have very many limits on what they can do to achieve their missions.

Option #1. Go to PT formation, do what you are asked / told, You are in the military, remember, and suck it up. Option #2. Get out, go back to being a civilian where people will listen to your whining and actually care. Option #3. There isn't one, pick 1 or 2.

I spent several nights in Viet Nam with no sleep. You can surely do PT after 4-5 hours sleep.

How is this as you put it 'isnt right?' Did you think when you volunteered for the Army that it was a 9-5 job? Suck it up, do your job, then over time maybe something will change.

the todays woke military..
glad that I'm retired...

Sounds like someone is suffering from tiny hear syndrome it's called man up drink an energy drink and power through once pt is over go about what you normally do because if you think 4 hours ain't enough try being a god damn cook quit bitching if it's that big of a problem you should not be in the army.

You failed. You do sound like you are whining

Go PT and quit crying. This why we have problems in the military now because you can reach out on social media to complain.

You "solve this problem" by going to PT and performing as required. If you are tired, you suck it up. In my day, your type comment would label you a "candy ass" and you would have to work your tail off to regain any respect from other soldiers.

My response is to propose that your group attend the 1600 formation, shower and then go to work. Most afternoon or midwatch shifts don't start until 1700 or 1800 hours anyway.

You solve the problem by getting your ass to formation. Period.

LOL!!!! We would close the bars and show up to PT still drunk as drunk can be. We all survived you will too

Are you an actual Soldier? You sound like you’re crying. Stop being a bitch and thank your Sergeant for letting you sleep 4-5 hours. Wait until you’re a Drill Sergeant and then cry about getting 1-2 hours of sleep before you have to give PT 3 times that day. Wow, Soldiers today.

I'm late to the party here but let me get this straight your shift is from 1600-0000 And you're whining about PT at 0530. You can always go right back to bed afterwards. I remember getting back to the unit just in time to do PT either drunk or hungover. And by the way the army only need to give you 4 hours of sleep and not all at once. stop whining and do your PT.

If you're looking for sympathy, it's in the dictionary somewhere in between the entries for "shit" and "syphilis". Just hope for the remainder of your time in service that you don't have to do a hell of a lot of things more strenuous than PT on even less than 4-5 hours of sleep. Suck it up, buttercup.

Suck it up buttercup!

Go to PT and stop being a bitch.

Go to pt….

Suck it up and quit being a whiner!

Here’s how ya solve it- your Junior enlisted and your command issued an order- you go to pt- plain and simple.

Suck it up, bunko. If you get deployed to a combat area you will consider four to five hours of sleep a luxury beyond definition. My daughter-in-law was in Afghanistan where among other chores she was responsible for throwing a wired Afghani rebel out of a helicopter at 10,000 ft. They all got to watch The rebel blow up halfway down. It's tough out there my friend but always remember that you asked for it. Now grow the balls to do it.