How much sleep do you get a night when not in the field or deployed?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 22:24:40 -0400

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2014 10:39 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 22:39:36 -0400

I get more sleep while deployed in the field than I do at home.

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Apr 30 at 2014 11:21 PM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 23:21:32 -0400

I'm pushing for 8 but.....Rally Point keeps me up at night. Kidding, I tend to keep up with sports that run into late hours at night because my teams play on the west coast.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2014 11:29 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 23:29:10 -0400

Snorts!!! I'm lucky to get 4 or 5 hours.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2014 11:43 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 23:43:06 -0400

I just hope when I retire I can lose this internal clock. I can't seem to sleep past 0600 on the weekends.

Response by MSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2014 11:52 PM

MSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 23:52:24 -0400

Anymore than six and my day is ruined typically.

Response by SSG Todd Halverson made May 1 at 2014 12:00 AM

SSG Todd Halverson — Thu, 01 May 2014 00:00:01 -0400

4-5 hour, But I can sleep later if I want now that I a retired.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2014 12:19 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 May 2014 00:19:16 -0400

5-6 Hours when I'm not on leave or pass. Whenever I transition into block leave mode I seem to be able to pull 8.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2014 12:29 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 May 2014 00:29:26 -0400

I take naps to get up to that level if possible. I think sleep is crucial in making good decisions. But I won't complain if I am tired.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2014 2:22 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 May 2014 02:22:55 -0400

Sir,

I haven't been able to sleep right since FEB 04.

V/r

MSG Haro

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2014 6:55 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 May 2014 06:55:30 -0400

I deployed when my son was 6 months old. Outside of the rocket alarms and pages from the hospital, it was the best sleep I'd had in a long time!!

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made May 1 at 2014 7:09 AM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Thu, 01 May 2014 07:09:55 -0400

Between 7-8. I'd vote, but it seems CPT Maurelli sees that as impossible.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made May 1 at 2014 7:35 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Thu, 01 May 2014 07:35:06 -0400

Generally 6-7, always hope for 8 but just never seems to happen.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2014 7:40 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 May 2014 07:40:36 -0400

I value sleep pretty highly...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2014 8:48 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 May 2014 08:48:11 -0400

During the week, I average 6-7 (but honestly, I try for 8) and on the weekends, definitely 8+.

Response by SPC Christopher Smith made May 1 at 2014 1:14 PM

SPC Christopher Smith — Thu, 01 May 2014 13:14:28 -0400

If i don't take my meds, I get about four hours, some days my body crashes and I'll get six. If I take my sleep meds I can get about six or seven. If this is for a scientific purpose I'd suggest breaking your population down to ages.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2014 1:55 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 May 2014 13:55:07 -0400

I have to make myself sleep. I resent the time it consumes from my life, but realize that it is needed in order to regenerate.

Response by SFC Rich Carey made May 1 at 2014 2:55 PM

SFC Rich Carey — Thu, 01 May 2014 14:55:01 -0400

even after I retired. I can't recall the last time I slept in :-(

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2014 6:02 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 May 2014 18:02:42 -0400

Sir, I do shoot for 8 on the weekends though.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 1 at 2014 7:29 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Thu, 01 May 2014 19:29:10 -0400

21 yrs it is hard to break old habits, I try and catch up on sleep at every opportunity but years of Double Backs. Port and Starboards 1 1 1 32s 2 2 2 80's. General Quarters Drills having taken their tole. I have to have background noise or I go into a cold sweat. I usually take a couple 3 hr naps.

Response by PO2 Rocky Kleeger made May 1 at 2014 7:45 PM

PO2 Rocky Kleeger — Thu, 01 May 2014 19:45:03 -0400

On the ship, I slept like a baby...however, at home there's no rocking of the ship. However, after 60 months at sea over the last 10 years of active duty, I am used to sleeping in a rack of 84"L x 22"W x 18"H, I tend to sleep in one spot.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2014 8:24 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 May 2014 20:24:03 -0400

Just can't relax... I'm always thinking about the 10ea "#1 priority"s that got dropped in my lap at 1730 that I have to deal with the next day, lol... I usually crash on Friday night for 8+ hrs

Response by SSgt Irvin Young made May 1 at 2014 10:26 PM

SSgt Irvin Young — Thu, 01 May 2014 22:26:02 -0400

That is only with help from medication.

Response by SGT Donald Croswhite made May 1 at 2014 11:31 PM

SGT Donald Croswhite — Thu, 01 May 2014 23:31:45 -0400

I get more sleep in the field. The good-idea-fairy is greatly reduced when you have to find an ASIP or aquire a HumVee to spread misery.

Response by SGT Shon D. Hill made May 2 at 2014 1:46 AM

SGT Shon D. Hill — Fri, 02 May 2014 01:46:22 -0400

Still don't sleep well on average, high strung with PTSD, it's a serious drag :(

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2014 9:11 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 May 2014 09:11:05 -0400

When I wake up on the weekends and the sun is already out, I get nervous and check my phone to make sure it's an off day lol.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2014 9:20 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 May 2014 09:20:54 -0400

I usually get around 3-4 hours per night during the week and I sleep until about 0800 or 0900 on the weekends. It seems that when I have something to do the next day my body knows it.

Response by SPC Brad Harris made May 3 at 2014 1:44 AM

SPC Brad Harris — Sat, 03 May 2014 01:44:42 -0400

I usually sleep at most, 5 hours.

I used to be able to sleep for 8 or more hours. But then I joined the Army.

Now I never get past 5. I've been out of the Army since 2007 and I still never sleep past 5 hours.

I'm also a very light sleeper and I never have REM sleep or even dream at all when I'm asleep.

I'm a super light sleeper, no one could break into my house, I wake up at the sound of a pen dropping.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2014 12:44 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 May 2014 00:44:35 -0400

I have slept an average of 4 1/2 hours a night for as long as I can remember. Typically broken up throughout the night. After 8 years in the Army I don't know if that is normal but I know it is normal for me. I do try to get in a 30 minute nap at lunch as the mission dictates. If I sleep more then 6 hours a night I feel groggy and sluggish throughout the day.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2014 9:23 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 May 2014 09:23:33 -0400

Unfortunately for me, I work shift work so it depends what shift I'm on.
0700-1500 ; 5-6
1500-2300; 7-8
2300-0700; 4-6
When I am off, I have my 2.75yr old, she doesn't sleep past 0800 for me. She must know Daddy is home

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2014 8:41 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 20:41:10 -0400

6-7, but sometimes a little less. Depends on the mood of my kiddos!

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2014 10:41 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 22:41:24 -0400

I get around 5-6 hours now. If I get anymore my day is really bad trying to make it through the day. Even if I were to get 8-9 hours of sleep for months it just feels worse. Although when I was deployed, I would get somewhere between 6-7 most the time and didn't have a problem hopping out of bed (I did feel tired) and was energetic the whole day. Miss those days. There's just too much going on when you're not deployed.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2014 10:46 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 22:46:07 -0400

right about 5 hours is what I get. Too many TV series to watch. lol

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2014 1:33 AM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 01:33:07 -0400

5-6 then the back reminds me I am old and it is time to get out of the bed.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2014 6:06 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 06:06:43 -0400

On average, 6-7, depending on schoolwork, my workout, and tasks that extend beyond COB (close of business ~ 1730).

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2014 8:55 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 08:55:59 -0400

Depends on how much work needs to get done...it never stops

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 8 at 2014 9:37 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 09:37:22 -0400

8, Except when I'm replying to you and the LT on RP

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jul 8 at 2014 10:15 AM

LTC Paul Labrador — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 10:15:56 -0400

During the week it's about 6-7 depending.

On weekends, unless I have something that I need to be up early for, I usually try to recharge and get 8-9.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2014 6:36 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Aug 2014 06:36:08 -0400

I can sleep when I'm dead. Jason Michael Carroll wrote a song about it. Just kidding, about 5

Response by SPC James Mcneil made Oct 20 at 2014 8:59 AM

SPC James Mcneil — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 08:59:47 -0400

I'm voting 5-6 hours, but many times it's less. It just depends on the situation.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2014 10:21 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 10:21:26 -0400

I voted 8 hours, but it's really more like 7 to 8 hours. Gotta get them Zzzzzs!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2014 11:14 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 11:14:33 -0400

3 month old teething baby.... I feel like a million bucks if i get more than 5 hours.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2014 11:21 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 11:21:46 -0400

Never seem to get more then 5 or 6 in the summer. But in the winter I work a hybrid swing/grave shift and I can get 8.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Oct 20 at 2014 11:43 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 11:43:23 -0400

I always hoped for more.

Response by MSgt Chris Adams made Oct 20 at 2014 11:57 AM

MSgt Chris Adams — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 11:57:19 -0400

5-6 due to creature of habit. All of the shows I like are later in the evening.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2014 12:22 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 12:22:01 -0400

LTC Private RallyPoint Member - I like those people who are so often recommending what even they do not do. lol PS. If you fall short of sleep, I can extra for you, lol

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2014 12:24 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 12:24:22 -0400

LTC Private RallyPoint Member Don't worry I shot the Rooster so that won't be a problem. And anyway except for FogHorn what do Roosters do anyway but wake you up and strut around and after they crow they go back to sleep. :)

Response by SFC Melker Johansson made Oct 21 at 2014 1:21 PM

SFC Melker Johansson — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 13:21:00 -0400

Insomnia FTW.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Oct 21 at 2014 1:24 PM

Maj Chris Nelson — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 13:24:07 -0400

I try to get 6-7....would love more, probably actually get less....getting older, the bladder tends to wake me up 1-2 times per night.... Sleep apnea also does not help...but working on getting that one fixed!

Response by Maj Tony Lucas made Oct 21 at 2014 2:35 PM

Maj Tony Lucas — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 14:35:07 -0400

still can't sleep past 0600

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 21 at 2014 6:10 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 18:10:58 -0400

I remember all the new daddies being SO happy to get back into the field. I took their guard shifts. "Let him sleep!"

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 21 at 2014 6:15 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 18:15:27 -0400

I try to sleep no more than 18 hours a day or I become cranky.....JK. I don't think I got more than 6 when I was in my 20's (partying). Tried for 7 in my 30's....and never got more than 4/5 post Iraq. Now mid-40's I'm doing much better at around 7.

Response by SPC Christian Sanchez made Oct 21 at 2014 6:38 PM

SPC Christian Sanchez — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 18:38:07 -0400

I'm out of the military and i still hardly sleep...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2014 6:41 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 18:41:14 -0400

I can not lay in bed and sleep more than 5 hours a night without my back bothering me and causing me to have a headache. I also toss and turn all night according to my wife, and she keeps trying to have me get a sleep study done to see if I have Sleep apnea.

Response by SPC David S. made Oct 21 at 2014 6:52 PM

SPC David S. — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 18:52:43 -0400

I run on very little sleep. 4 hours and I'm good.

Response by Cpl Ray Fernandez made Oct 21 at 2014 7:53 PM

Cpl Ray Fernandez — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 19:53:59 -0400

Even now I don't need much sleep. In the field I used to get more than enough sleep. The only time after the set up of comm during a field op would be when something broke. Other than that it was pretty much sleep time in battalion field ops.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2014 1:05 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 13:05:34 -0400

3-4 hours a night at the most. I've been that way my whole life. I don't sleep well. When I am in the field, I sleep like a baby.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2014 1:46 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 13:46:21 -0400

I get noramly around 6 hrs of sleep but on deployment i can run on 4 hrs. Now that my kids are 16 months old i dont get woken up every 2 hours to feed them.

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Oct 22 at 2014 2:52 PM

1LT Nick Kidwell — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 14:52:32 -0400

The "recommended 8 hours" is a general guideline. My wife is fine after 7-7.5, but I need 9 for optimal efficiency.

Of course, when necessary, I have and can go for up to 36 hours without sleep or go for periods of time with less than 4 hours of sleep per cycle. However, this is less than ideal and I only do that when it's necessary.

Why it's considered tough, cool, desirable, hooah, or whatever for people to go without sleep is beyond me. My machine works better when it recharges properly.

Response by SPC Todd Hanson made Oct 22 at 2014 5:54 PM

SPC Todd Hanson — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 17:54:07 -0400

Up by 430 every morning even on weekends and leave. I just lay in bed till 8 or 9 maybe dose off for a few minutes

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2014 10:14 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 22:14:33 -0400

Wow...less than 2% get more than 8 and only 6% get 8 hours. That is sad...no wonder my GAT says I am 9 years old than I actually am.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 29 at 2014 3:13 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 03:13:08 -0400

I think to a certain unnamed RallyPoint new papa (of the E-6 persuasion) who might welcome a little field time right about now. He ca work on new METL tasks such as one-handed diaper changing, preparation for PT on 2 hours of "sleep", and other timeless tasks that get harder with age REGARDLESS of how my kids you have. Hang tough mystery man!

Response by TSgt Kevin Buccola made Oct 29 at 2014 12:39 PM

TSgt Kevin Buccola — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 12:39:01 -0400

rarely sleep more than 3 hours nightly and that is off and on

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2014 7:18 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 19:18:58 -0400

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca I am losing sleep over this post...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2014 8:20 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 20:20:28 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member how are you sleeping?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2014 8:21 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 20:21:56 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member I hear we will sleep more after command time is up.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2014 8:24 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 20:24:37 -0400

4-5

Response by LCDR Doug Nordman made Oct 30 at 2014 11:09 PM

LCDR Doug Nordman — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 23:09:52 -0400

Wow. Popular thread.

I've been retired for 12 years from the submarine force. You'd expect that to mess with your sleep, but it's been over 20 years since my last sea duty and my sleep is still messed up.

I can only sleep for 4-6 hours. Sleeping longer than that requires a hard, extended workout that would also mean two days of sore muscles/joints, a painful recovery, and 800 mg of ibuprofen 2x/day. So six hours it is, although on a noisy night it's only four hours.

I've adapted by breaking up the day with a 30-60 minute nap. I can power through without the nap (especially with a cup of coffee after lunch) but it's not easy. If I only get 3-4 hours the night before then my family assures me that I really need the nap.

The main issue is hyperalertness. On the boat you'd be awakened by changes in angle or rocking & rolling or loud noises or emergency announcements... or by hearing all the ventilation fans die on a loss of electricity. If you're the Weapons Officer and one of the watchstanders cycles a torpedo tube, well, you're gonna jerk awake with a few questions on your mind. I guess you learn to sleep lightly.

It's the same hyperalertness problem today. (But no angles or rocking & rolling or torpedo tubes.) If I hear a transient or a change in the house's ambient noise level then I'm wide awake and wondering what's going on. Even a voice on the street drifting through an open window, or a cat yowling down the block will wake me up. If I have a flashback dream then I'm definitely done sleeping.

I can sleep with earplugs, although it makes me feel less secure. But even then I'm awake by six hours.

I have a good sleeping environment and a good evening routine. I usually fall asleep within 30 minutes, but it takes focus & effort to shut off my brain. I'm 54 years old, in good shape, and I don't drink. If anything I'm sleeping less today than 10 years ago. I've taken the PTSD surveys but that does not seem to be an issue. It's possible that I'm just wired this way even before submarine duty.

The good news is that I get a lot of writing done when I start at 3-4 AM, I've only missed a couple of sunrises in the last 20 years, and I really enjoy dawn patrol...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2014 12:43 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 00:43:15 -0400

Sleep? That's cute. I average about three hours a night.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2014 3:24 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 03:24:07 -0400

3-4 hours, give or take....

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2014 1:56 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 01:56:42 -0400

It sucks...

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2014 5:02 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 17:02:53 -0500

It can vary depending on a vriety of factors, though the most influential one that i have found is your activity level during the day. if you have been very active that day you will probably need more sleep versus doing next to nothing. it varies for every person.

Response by PFC Zanie Young made Nov 3 at 2014 6:10 PM

PFC Zanie Young — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 18:10:45 -0500

Privates don't get enough sleep.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2014 9:37 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 21:37:09 -0500

The military has trained my body to STILL wake up a 0700 sharp! Sir! And about 11:00 to the rack! Sir! My back begs to differ! I Still have P.T.S.D. nightmares, ever after all the meds, and counselors.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2017 7:34 PM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Mar 2017 19:34:46 -0500

Reviving this oldie but goodie... I always found it ironic that the Army preaches adequate sleep and nutrition, but regularly forces you to stay up for days and feeds you MREs haha. I mean... come on.