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

Suspended Profile
This reminds me of my cousin who told me a story of which he heard about this other man was going through the same issues with his Junior CO. This guy hated him and gave him a great deal of grief with very little sleep. He had just completed one assignment which took awhile. He had just hit the rack when he was called to do Guard Duty. My cousin said that guy did his best to stay awake...tons of coffee did very little. While standing very still up against a wall, around 3 am he fell asleep and woke up as he could feel the breath of someone very close to his face. His eyes were shut and he was about to panic and then impromptu he said, " Amen!" then opened his eyes being almost nose to nose with his perceived enemy. That Junior CO gruffed then walked away! My cousin said this guy almost dropped because of the fear his knees started to shake.
Suck it up buttercup... I've gone to PT with no sleep at all and survived.
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Lost count how many times I went 50+ hours without sleep in active-duty time. A couple in my reserve time.
Invading Iraq was two and a half days of driving with no sleep, with the intention of driving for five days into Baghdad. And when we stopped, we had to set up shop, and immediately worked on vehicles for an unknown number of hours. Just part of the job.
Unless you are a pilot, you have no valid way of making your case. The Army (and I am assuming the other branches of the military) drills muscle memory into us. Operating with lack of sleep is one of the reasons.
Invading Iraq was two and a half days of driving with no sleep, with the intention of driving for five days into Baghdad. And when we stopped, we had to set up shop, and immediately worked on vehicles for an unknown number of hours. Just part of the job.
Unless you are a pilot, you have no valid way of making your case. The Army (and I am assuming the other branches of the military) drills muscle memory into us. Operating with lack of sleep is one of the reasons.
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Suck it up buttercup!! Embrace the suck, it builds character. Future battle tested warrior!!!!Hoooaaaah
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With all due respect you have the same 16 hours off duty as the rest of us. As a TMSN there were more days than not that I did not work a straight 8 hr day. We loaded and unloaded torpedoes all hours of night and day and we're done when the mission was done. We still had to do PT. You are not managing your time. Very few people work 8 hrs then IMMEDIATELY go to sleep no matter their shift. It's not that you can't do it you DON'T WANT to do it. As a junior enlisted you still have to follow the orders of your superiors whether you like them or not. Requiring PT is not unlawful despite you wanting it to be.
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OMG...grow up and do as you are told. When someone speaks to the sacrifices that military personnel face, this is one of them. As the old saying goes, train as though you're in battle, trust me when I tell you that if and when you ever get deployed and have to face the enemy, you wont be sleeping, even if you are not in a current fire fight. You WILL be deprived. You will even have to go to battle, to fight, to survive with if any, very little sleep, oh and your precious spiced mocha will be nowhere in sight either. Suck it up and drive on soldier.
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Times in the Army have definitely changed, when I first got in "sleep readiness" wasn't a thing. Do understand though that your leadership seems to be taking care of you in a sense because they are ensuring you are physically fit. If you can't make it to evening formation because of work considerations, the only alternative would be to go to the morning formation at 0500. If you don't have work until 1600, you should be able to go back to sleep anyway, so why make an issue out of it? Just say roger and move on.
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Suck it up, I'm getting by with 5-6 hours of sleep and work a full time job and I'm 70yrs old. I remember times while in and worked a 24hr shift to get the job done. Good luck
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Just go to the 1600 formation and do PT until 1700, shit, shower, and shave, then be at work at 1800 to 0000; then rinse and repeat. You can do it. If not, when will you keep yourself in shape? Make a plan and propose that to 1SG 'through' your immediate supervisor.
Military problem solving: If you don't like the solution that was given, point out the problem and propose your solution. The highest mark on the collar wins the game. Then you say, "Roger, out"; and execute.
Military problem solving: If you don't like the solution that was given, point out the problem and propose your solution. The highest mark on the collar wins the game. Then you say, "Roger, out"; and execute.
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If you didn't wanna do PT then you should not have joined, that's my opinion as a former E6, If I set it for you to be there and your not I'll give you a second chance then it's report time.
No if ands or buts your not a civilian anymore it's the military.
No if ands or buts your not a civilian anymore it's the military.
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You are a perfect example of why lowering recruitment standards is a bad idea. The words military service DO NOT mean that the military will service you. They mean that YOU will render service to the military and to your country. Grow up!
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