Is this a reasonable work schedule?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 20:52:41 -0400

Alright so here are the details:
1. This is a 24 hour operations facility covering multiple timezones from Germany eastward all the way to the Hawaiian Islands. So all 24 hours are general busy.
2. Currently the schedule is for 48 hour weeks (12 hour shifts, 4 days on, 3 days off) where time off is unsecured (i.e. soldiers get called in on their off days and off hours at any given point, frequently if I might add) plus PT (about the only time we get to work off the stress). 2 out of 3 days off fall on weekdays.
3. Undermanned is an understatement. After the military released the civilian contractors that basically ran the facility MTOE was not adjusted to allow for more soldiers. Basically a do more with less situation.
4. Commander and First Sergeant are absolutely fed up with the lack of results for even the most basic of tasks (i.e. AWT, Annual Mandatory Training, Medpros, you know the usual stuff) so it gets taken out on the entire company.
Basically, I have worked on deployment so that I can understand the work all the time mentality. What else are you going to do, you don't have your family with you and with not much else to do, why not work. My biggest issue is that with so many work hours and being called in all the time for anyone's mistakes to include those that you have zero control over it leaves soldiers afraid to go out and enjoy themselves for fear that they will get called in to work. They end up drinking themselves into oblivion at the barracks or they send their spouses home to the states. I personally am out of ways to legitimize or even support with any valid argument to any of my soldiers about the work hours and find myself agreeing with them more and more that it seems unreasonable. So is it reasonable, or should we find a better solution. Also this is not to put any particular leader on blast, the company leadership has tried, maybe not in the best way but at least the attempt was made.

Response by SSG Kenneth Lanning made Apr 29 at 2015 8:24 PM

SSG Kenneth Lanning — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 20:24:21 -0400

I've worked strat side SATCOM for a few years now. Best schedule I have seen is 12-hour, 3 on / 2 off / 2 on...3 off / 2 on / 2 off. As far as the recalls go, that is the direct result of the chain of command losing faith in the leadership abilities of the NCOs, and nobody getting the chance to fix it. Your best bet would be to request a sensing session with all NCOs and the command group, get a schedule of FY training (both AWT and site-specific) that everyone must adhere to, and hold those accountable that do not do the training. Mass punishment will only make this issue worse - allowing the leadership to get a fresh start and convincing the command to give the NCOs another chance to prove they can run the shit is your best bet.

Best of luck on this-if it's any consolation, at least if things stay the same (or get worse) you won't be there forever. Take it as a good example of what happens when leaders don't hold each other accountable.

Response by Cpl Karl Gleason made Apr 29 at 2015 8:32 PM

Cpl Karl Gleason — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 20:32:53 -0400

Sounds like you need a vacation brother. Do more with less is everywhere these days. We are all adjusting to the changes over the last 7 years. Keep pressing forward and don't get into drinking your problems away. Be safe.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2015 12:59 AM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 00:59:30 -0400

Granted that the schedule may suck. Gotta do what ya gotta do.

Response by SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA made Jun 6 at 2015 2:01 AM

SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 02:01:37 -0400

Article 138 anyone?

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 6 at 2015 8:20 AM

PO1 John Miller — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 08:20:28 -0400

When I was in the Navy I was stationed at a place much like that. We were in 4 watch sections and the rotation was 2 12 hour day watches, 48 hours off. 2 12 hour mid watches, 72 hours off. That made things a little easier though we were still subject to recall at any time during our time off. Sometimes our leadership would support not trying to call us in, especially if it was something that could be handled when we came back to work. Other times they were: "Tough titty. Suck it up and get your ass to work."

Response by SSG Martin Fox made Jun 6 at 2015 8:52 AM

SSG Martin Fox — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 08:52:17 -0400

4 & 3? There is nothing wrong with that schedule. If you have to constantly call soldiers in on their days off, you should revamp the DA6 and the schedule itself. I understand being understaffed. Why are soldiers bring called in on thier days off? Is it an emergency situation? There are always ways to take care of soldiers. You just have to be creative.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2015 8:57 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 08:57:26 -0400

Stop your bitching. In a deployed status, people in a staff position can expect to work 12 on/12 off for 9-12 months..without a single day off. The fact you get a day...multiple days off gives you little room to complain. In all actuality, you get more hours off than many people in a regular unit who work 0530 to 1730 five days a week at a minimum.

Response by SSG Darren Haynes made Jun 6 at 2015 6:49 PM

SSG Darren Haynes — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 18:49:13 -0400

The schedule itself is not bad but if leadership is wanting training and what not done take one of the three and try to schedule your training also task those that needed pros, and other appointments on that day. Yeah you end up working 5/2 but once your training and other requirements are caught up you might be able to revert back? Good luck.....by the way are you in the WSOC?

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Oct 2 at 2018 2:30 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Tue, 02 Oct 2018 14:30:25 -0400

Without knowing all sides and the conditions there, it is tough to say. When I worked Nukes in Europe we went for long stretches of 24 on 24 off and had to do the PT, Sgt's time, training, and other fun filled adventures...not. While I thought that sucked, I watched what the troops in my BN had to go through while deployed, that was worse.
The Army wasn't realistic in either situation then, and sure isn't about to change. Too many report cards for Commanders and Senior NCO's means the troops suffer in the end. Which leads to sucky retention rates, more UCMJ, AWOLS, and other problems. We don't learn from our mistakes we just keep repeating them.