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
Let me help you with this problem. Be in formation at 0530, and do the PT. You signed up for this. You asked if there is any regulation, yes there is, It's called Your Company Commander, he gave a direct order. I hope this solves your problem. If not you need more help than I can give you, now stop whining do Pt or turn in your strips and go back to you moma.
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I'm with SFC Michael Davila on this one. Adjust your activities so you can do your job. Your job is being a Soldier. God knows we need you. Being tough isn't always tough, but it will certainly be tough sometimes. A lot tougher than going out to do something that is healthy, and good, for your mind and body, like PT, with all your buddies suffering alongside you. Believe me, when you look back at your life, those are the times you're going to miss.
Entered 1975, Retired 2020.
E1 to E6, then O1 to O6.
Entered 1975, Retired 2020.
E1 to E6, then O1 to O6.
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When did privates have a say so. If Top is saying PT is at 0430, then it's 0430. If you don't the Fuq up, you get smoked. Do you want a time out when you are forced to go on a 2-mile forced march? LMAO
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I see answers here that range from "suck it up" to "only to appease the 1SG" but perhaps there is another approach. Use the 5th Principle of Patrolling-- Common Sense. Familiarize yourself with the Army Performance Triad and the relevant regulations of crew rest. Those guidelines and regulations exist for purpose. You will find in there very good reasons for a balanced approach to conditioning for combat and troops to task methodology for round the clock operations, even in a garrison environment. I have been at this 40 years or so and spent many, many years in combat in several different wars, this is a garrison scheduling issue that should be the bread and butter of NCO business. Be STRAC and professional, but also strive for balance. Rangers Lead the Way!
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Junior enlisted under a new command structure... ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!! Get your squared away self to one or the other of those PT formations. The only problem you seem to have. Is the motivation to overcome. Your really non relevant self assigned problem.
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One question do you not like pt? 1SG is correct telling you you need to do PT. I agree that if you can't handle PT on 4 hours sleep. You have diffidently chose the wrong carrer.
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Show up when you are told to. You joined the military voluntarily. You had a choice before you signed the contract. If you don't like it, then don't re-enlist.
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Volunteer or ask if you can start a group afternoon pt session at 1200 or something like that.
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listen, You signed a contract. as unbalanced as it may seem you are theirs. You need to Dig deep to survive. Try working on the flight deck for 12 hrs a day 7 days a week for 6 months. perhaps something very important to your service to the nation will be passed down. Don't miss it! I never did.
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As a junior enlisted I’m going on my gut feeling here and guess your 23 - 29 yrs old +/- IDK these days.??! You should be quite fit and understand that this —- This Military Training thing we do is what prevails when you didn’t think you could but helping you to conquer your mind by complaining about it in the first place makes you selfish because the person to your left or right is hoping that you are just as trained and if not even better trained, depending on your rank or position, because when you are in the position one day should you ever earn the honor of moving into the non commissioned officers corps. Because it is then young troop, and only then that this wisdom i share with you will you understand the true meaning of belonging, band of brothers/sisters, a Corpse of leaders that train, develop, inspire, and execute orders; they are the backbone of every Armed Forces in the United States of America. The greatest country and nation that there Is and embraces freedom, justice, and the pursuit of happiness. That same privilege is being instilled into you young troop that it will too one day inspire you to push yourself to be more, give more, serve more, grow more, instead of worrying about the lack of sleep you get but instead to how many hours you do get to sleep, now go make the most out of those 4 hrs. Make them quality hours and don’t waste a minute worrying about all the troubles of the world because out there somewhere is another young troop that’s standing guard while rest hoping that he/she too could get just a few hrs of sleep but they can’t yet because the enemy is all around trying to find ways to disrupt or destroy our All (inclusive) American way of life! So pray you will someday be that backbone, but for now, please consider that your still in training. Sweet Dreams
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What you do is stop trying to weasel your way out of it and get out there so you can PT. Stop being a wuss. Geez.
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Honestly you just have to accept that the military doesn't care about you nor your needs / wants. You enlisted to server their needs. Like getting up at 4 AM and mustering and rushing to your post, to stand there and wait for hours before anything gets done. Its military life my dude, Do your time and move on.
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Either get your PSG on your side so they can act as a buffer or catch a 3hr power nap, do pt, shower, and go back to bed if allowed. Most importantly; stop being a bitch
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I sympathize. We hated the 12-hour shifts with zero breaks for a year other than R &R. Nurses typically work a 12-hour shift for 3 straight days in civilian life. Nap when you can. You are not a civilian & it should not be a big deal just a small pressure on you. See if you can handle it. OTOH, perhaps your 1sg isn't aware of the shift work times; suggest that YOU would like to lead a PT session at a different time. Your reasoning is to give more opportunities for the troops to participate should they miss PT for any reason.
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Maybe when you need time to sleep and cannot function from lack of sleep you can tell the enemy to wait a few hours so that you may catch up on sleep time. Oh, wait your not going to get sleep sometimes to fix "lack of sleep." Sometime it just happens that way. Get over it and drive on with yourself.
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Best to formulate a respectful, reasonable question/solution and go to your 1st supervisor.
My guess is this won't last too long.
Maybe hold out a few days.
As soon as the 1st accident, family incident etc. The CoC will step in with something sensible. Like PT for your shift is 1400 to 1500, shift starts at 1600.
All the leaders saying though it out, we partied and ran PT. Well, when you as a leader looking at another leader, like yea, now you have to face how and why that soldier died and killed his whole car of kids in the way to daycare to make PT on 4 hrs sleep. All because of the ego maniac, that created and held a do or die environment get reprimanded and force retired for being sheer stupid, you'll look at him like I did, with zero sympathy. Put your ego aside and use your brain. Goal fitness program and discipline. Not risk lives in garrison.
My guess is this won't last too long.
Maybe hold out a few days.
As soon as the 1st accident, family incident etc. The CoC will step in with something sensible. Like PT for your shift is 1400 to 1500, shift starts at 1600.
All the leaders saying though it out, we partied and ran PT. Well, when you as a leader looking at another leader, like yea, now you have to face how and why that soldier died and killed his whole car of kids in the way to daycare to make PT on 4 hrs sleep. All because of the ego maniac, that created and held a do or die environment get reprimanded and force retired for being sheer stupid, you'll look at him like I did, with zero sympathy. Put your ego aside and use your brain. Goal fitness program and discipline. Not risk lives in garrison.
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