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?

Jr em, between 20 to 25 and can't live on 5 hrs of sleep? Working 5 days a week with 2 days off. I remember dragging ass at gunnery on 36 hr days. Not eating because you fall asleep when you stop. Suck it up buttercup.

The most surprising thing about this thread is a med company actually doing PT....

Soldier! This is no brainer. Disobeying a lawful order is punishable under the UCMJ. Your commanders want you to be physically fit for duty and combat when required. You can’t attend the evening PT session because your shift starts at 1600 hrs. That leaves the 5:30 session for you. Others have commented about being up all night and field/combat time. Well said! Do this for us. Knock out the PT and go back to BED until time to prepare for your shift.

You and your ilk are the reason we will lose the (soon to be here) next World War. Just get out, get a six pack of Bud Light and get a job at Target. We are so screwed.

SPC Davis, suck it up and drive on! You are a United States Soldier. You don't realize it now but you train for a reason, to be better than your enemy. We did PT twice a day in the desert in the dark so not to been seen by the Republican Guard (the bad guys). Your Commander is there to take care of you to see that you survive. We always did a little bitching and complaining but we new it was best and we new we were the best. There was always a few who would fall out on the run to throw up but they would fall back in when getting rid of the weight. During combat operations we survived on 5 hours sleep a week. You can do it , your body gets use to it and you get in the rhythm. You don't see all this right now but you will later. Your CO is running with you right? You are young you can take much more training than you realize. When it comes time to beat your enemy, and that time will come, you have to be better prepared than she is, that will be your advantage, THINK WAR. Good luck soldier.

Lol. Eat well sleep when you can. Remember you’re supposed to be supervised so if your higher ups are doing the same thing... well... there’s worse like deployment

In Desert Storm we averaged 3-4 hours sleep a day, every other day. We did this for the entire Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Yes we were at war and the war doesn't take a time out so we can get our 8 hours rack time. Now I read articles that sailors need to have 10 hours off after a watch and wonder what happened to my beloved Navy.

I pray this country never has to face an old school extended ground war again. I look at what the boys had to endure to win WWII compared to the hardships our troops say are unbearable today. Prosperous times have made us soft, both as a fighting force and as a nation. One day, I fear, someone is going to step up to the plate and exploit that weakness.

Wow, you're being asked to PT after 4 - 5 hours sleep. My hat's off to you. Perhaps they can award you a medal or something. I remember the day that we were considered government property and were technically indentured servants. We would have killed for 4 - 5 hours rack time a night.

Stop your damn whimpering. You ARE in the MILITARY. Manage your off time better, put the beer bottle down, and get some sleep. Then DO AS ORDERED. Theres no room in the military for whiny discussions....

One thing to try:

A 30 minute nap has been shown to regain 30% of brain function. It's a quick recharge. As long as you don't exceed that (because you'll go into R.E.M. sleep and feel worse than you did before) you should function a little better until a more permanent solution or change can be found.

Quit being such a sissy and suck it up. We use to stay out all night drinking and chasing women util 4:00 a.m. and then run 10 miles or more in combat boots back in the 70's. Try being a real soldier and a man instead of a whiny ass little wimp.

Are you kidding me.? your in the miltary, why do you think you should be allowed 8hrs. of sleep. Grow up young man. Its time. Babies need not apply. Besides it for your own readiness, if ever needed

You wouldn't last very long in combat.

Really? This is a serious question! Go to PT - simple. That is what both junior and senior enlisted do.

Really? You can't be serious - You go to PT.

Hanau Germany with the 3rd Armored Division Artillery, Hanau Germany.

Go to your fist sergeant, and explain to him what your work hours are, and suggest that each shift do PT either before or after their shift. Apparently your first sergeant hasn't worked where the soldiers have shift responsibilities.

“You only suffer if you believe you are suffering.” Not my quote but something I try to keep in mind in any tough situation. This is a leadership responsibility to address. Maybe two PT formations might be the answer if done correctly with the entire unit aware that all soldiers do the same PT. Are your first line leaders also complaining or are they talking about how to make the situation better for everyone? You are whining just like every soldier in history, so do not feel like you are unusual. This might be a temporary challenge and things change. Maybe this is just the temporary fix to address whatever problem the CO and Top want to resolve. Is there a deeper problem in the unit? Is physical fitness a problem? Is the leadership doing anything else to develop the cohesion of unit? In the mean time see this as an obstacle you overcome, training for all those other obstacles fortune hits you with throughout your life.

Hopefully you grew up and realized 4-5 hours of sleep is a GOOD night. Why did you join the Army?

You are in the military, yes? ruck up sunshine, 4-5 hours of sleep is a luxury. Have you ever been deployed to an active combat zone? if not, that explains a lot. If so then you must know that you run on adrenaline, caffeine, Rip Its, and anger. Once you get used to getting 4-5 hours and not 8 hours of beauty sleep you can function just fine and the PT will increase your ability to function under stress. if you can't hack ir, then don't reenlist.

I can't remember getting 8 hours of sleep since my first base at Nellis 40 yrs ago.