Will Sleep Apnea hinder a soldier from taking on a special assignment?

2017-04-05T14:33:15-04:00

I am planning on having a sleep study done since I believe I have Sleep Apnea. I am looking forward to being a Drill Sergeant as my next assignment. Will Sleep Apnea be considered a "No/Go" for such assignment?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2017 2:39 PM

2017-04-05T14:39:07-04:00

I don't see sleep apnea as a no go in the list of requirements

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2017 2:55 PM

2017-04-05T14:55:20-04:00

Here is the link of the list I looked at. I re-read it and I still didn't see anything about apnea

http://jackson.armylive.dodlive.mil/about/armyschools/usadss/preparing-for-the-ds-course/

Preparing for the Drill Sergeant Course | Fort Jackson

In order to fully prepare for your attendance at the Drill Sergeant Course, we recommend you view thedownloads below. Please pay special attention to the recommended packing list and the optional equipment list.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Apr 5 at 2017 2:57 PM

2017-04-05T14:57:45-04:00

The only concern I would have if I was in your shoes would be how would you power the machine in the field? I'm not a medical official so I don't know if all cases of sleep apnea require the machine but the people I know that have it all have that machine. I don't see it as a show stopper but something to consider. Best of luck on becoming a Drill Sergeant SFC Private RallyPoint Member!

Response by CSM William Payne made Apr 5 at 2017 2:58 PM

2017-04-05T14:58:00-04:00

But unless it has been changed, sleep apnea can be a non qualifier for deployment. You need to check on that.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2017 3:21 PM

2017-04-05T15:21:22-04:00

Right off the top of my head I know 2 pilots and a couple more crew chiefs that have it and use the CPAP.

Response by 1SG Frank Boynton made Apr 5 at 2017 5:56 PM

2017-04-05T17:56:47-04:00

I don't know but having been one I would think you'd definitely be at a disadvantage. 18 hour days are the norm when you're in cycle. That 7 days a week. And you have to be alert 100% of the time. Can't imagine the safety issues involved with a drill sgt on the firing line with a bunch of recruits firing live rounds. If you're not 100% engaged something is going to go wrong.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Apr 5 at 2017 7:59 PM

2017-04-05T19:59:34-04:00

Just a FYI but in some cases you can get rid of Sleep Apnea, have you spoken with a Army Doctor in depth about it. In my view if you can get rid of it or alleviate it's occurences without medical drugs or appliances........DO SO. Quality of life improvements are worth the effort.

Response by SFC Rich Combs made Apr 5 at 2017 10:31 PM

2017-04-05T22:31:20-04:00

Have you asked you PCP to drill down on your suspicion of sleep apnea. If it is obstructive sleep apnea, there may be a surgical correction possible to relieve your symptoms. Worth taking a look at.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Apr 6 at 2017 11:25 AM

2017-04-06T11:25:29-04:00

It's a medical condition that is individually assessed like any other. It's also fairly common, and if untreated, takes years off your life. If a CPAP is required, proximity to 12 volt minimum power is necessary. If the assignment is the type where having to go without on occasion without improper stress on the body, you should be good to go. BTW, check your medical fitness for duty determination. Usually they say unrestricted because it's a well controlled condition. Also keep a copy of that documentation separate in a safety deposit box as later it will be part of your VA disability determination. It frequently nets 50%. Hopefully you were evaluated by a pulmonologist, not a general PCP who just had you put a finger sensor on for a night at home.

Response by SFC Danny Good made Apr 6 at 2017 1:47 PM

2017-04-06T13:47:16-04:00

My second year on the trail we had a sleep study done on our Battalion DS and it was found we slept an average of 4 hours a night, this was a study done in two months. So SSG if you don't sleep much now you will do fine, no worries.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2017 9:21 PM

2017-04-06T21:21:13-04:00

Sleep Apnea will not disqualify you from being a Drill Sergeant. I just recently came off the trail and I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in 2010. I was DA selected for Drill Sergeant in 2014 so it will not be a show stopper for you.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2017 10:05 PM

2017-04-09T22:05:21-04:00

Lol, sounds like you are trying to get out of it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2018 9:44 AM

2018-04-21T09:44:02-04:00

Hi, I was NCOIC of the Sleep Center at BMACH Ft Benning for 3 & 1/2 years; we had plenty of Drill Sergeants feom Sand Hill on CPAP for sleep apnea. They prescribe battery packs for CPAP devices for use when electricity is inaccessible.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2018 8:39 PM

2018-04-22T20:39:20-04:00

Unless you suffered OMF trauma the Army didn’t cause your OSA. Quit going 1 yr post ETS to “get it on your record”

Response by SGT Tony Paredes made Apr 23 at 2018 10:09 AM

2018-04-23T10:09:11-04:00

I remember frist time sleeping out in the Bush cant b snoring out there can't be snoring out there so i'ed be drifting off and wake wake up from my watch and ask my buddy hey was I snoring. no but waking up in a jungle at 4 in the morning for the watch at 18 yeah