Sleep Disorders Among Troops Are More Damaging Than We Realize

The problem is that EVERYONE knows it's a serious issue, but would point to other mitigating factors as reasons it's necessary and how important it is to stay awake. I agree with the assessment, it will cost you later on. I've gone through two sleep studies, done every single prescribed sleep med, and cannot shut down. Finally VA tells me to go find a sleep doctor, but wait till they give me a list of names that I can use in my area. That was a month ago. So I take it as it comes, get what I can when I can, and pray that I don't get popped by the cops. Telling a cop that you're sleep deprived or you're still under the influence of the previous nights medications WILL NOT get you out of a DUI. I'm also learning that jobs don't really care too much about that eight hour rule (NO driving for eight hours AFTER the meds kick in). I'm lucky to have the supervisor I have, but others just don't get it being I'm one of three vets who've deployed.

It's a serious issue, especially for soldiers still on active duty. The military does not take excuses for being late to formation. There's been many times where I have been too tired to drive, what's the right answer: give the perception that you are a shamer and tell your leaders you will be late or coming in later; or risk driving despite the impairment. Similarly, we put soldiers at risk when performing 24 hour duties without sleep. Sleep deprivation has been shown to have a higher risk of impairment while driving than alcohol! Yet, we continue to ignore this information and blame the service-member when something goes wrong. Change starts at the top, but despite the outcry it doesn't appear they are listening to these concerns.

They just keep feeding me different pills!