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So I have been thinking about posting this question/discussion ever since I joined this community. A few years ago I was sitting in a Sergeants time training when I was suddenly attacked by the Z monster. Instead of submitting to this beast I decided to stand up and stand in the back of the class. After the class, I was approached by the class instructor and was informed in a harsh manner that standing is a sign of disrespect and I should have the discipline to stay awake.
While I sort of agree with him, I had always been under the impression, that if you are tired in class stand up because sleep is akin to slapping the instructor in the face. The stand up rule has been repeated in nearly every professional development course I have attended. I want to see what the community has to say about this topic.
Note: I did not unintentionally make any disrespect sighs or movements when I was standing. The sole issue was the fact that I stood.
While I sort of agree with him, I had always been under the impression, that if you are tired in class stand up because sleep is akin to slapping the instructor in the face. The stand up rule has been repeated in nearly every professional development course I have attended. I want to see what the community has to say about this topic.
Note: I did not unintentionally make any disrespect sighs or movements when I was standing. The sole issue was the fact that I stood.
Posted in these groups: 
Instructing
Disrespect
Instructing Disrespect
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 195
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I think he needs to get over himself. His reaction is probably because it happens to him a lot. Just a guess.
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PFC Ricky Krebs
I remember back in BCT and AIT that was the way to go or they find a way to keep you awake and from what I saw was never fun...lol... So it was drilled in my head to stand up to stay awake whenever I was receiving any class instructions.
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SSG (Join to see)
When I was in basic, if you nodded off, the Drill would sneak up and smack you on the back of the head. Not a little love tap either.
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SGT (Join to see)
I consider it more a sign of respect, you respect your NCO or instructor enough to know you need to pay attention. When I have soldiers get up and stand in the back of my class, i consider it respectful. If they fall asleep in class, may god have mercy on them, because I wont.
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As a Soldier, for the entirety of my career, it was told to me that if you feel as though you are falling asleep, that you need to have the discipline to stand up and either move to the rear of the class or to stand along the side wall. As an instructor this was one thing that was briefed to students at the beginning of the course/class and I would never have jumped on someone about standing up when the class was done. I might have poked fun at them in a joking manner or told them good job even, but I wouldn't have reacted like a "Richard Cranium".
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LTC Brett Weeks
Exactly. I was always taught that when you felt sleepy, to have the presence of mind to stand up & move to the back or side of the class. This was a far "smarter" move than having the instructor catch you dosing in your chair.
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I teach a lot of classes on a variety of subjects. If you have people falling asleep in your class one of 2 things is happening. Either they are just really tired or you suck as an instructor and can't keep them motivated. One leads to a student every once in while standing up or nodding off, the other is completely your fault as an instructor.
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
While I agree to an extent with the post lunch lull, a good instructor can overcome that easily with some good lesson planning and being a dynamic an engaging instructor.
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SGT Dustin Moore
I don't agree Msgt but it doesn't matter how good the instructor is you always have to fight the afternoon z monster and it is a bugger.
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
These comments make it seem like the Army has some reeeeeally boring instructors.
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CDR (Join to see)
I was one of a handful of Navy bubbas in a SINGARS class at FT Riley, KS and recall LOTS of folks standing. I was paying attention because it was new to me, potentially lifesaving and I was an O-5 expected to set an example. I could have filled a 5 gallon bucket with drool by the end of each session. I have been an instructor and there are some topics that you just can't sexy up enough to keep people from doing touch and goes. Short of installing air bags on the desk tops, if you happen to be teaching a very dry subject, shorter and more frequent breaks may be the answer. And I agree that this guy's nickname should be "Richard Head"
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