Is there a regulation that specifically states recovery periods for CQ and staff duty?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 19:16:44 -0400

Having a discussion at work today and I couldn’t find any answers so I’m asking the RP community. Is there any regulation or policy that specifically states recovery period length for a 24 hour shift?

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Jun 3 at 2021 7:34 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 19:34:17 -0400

There is under FM 22-6 Guard Duty an area for "Interior Guard" which could refer to Charge of Quarters .
CQ or charge of quarters is a tasked duty in which a United States armed forces service member is to guard the front entrance to the barracks. It is usually a 24-hour shift in which the two service members, one a non-commissioned officer (NCO) and the other a junior enlisted service member, sit at a desk to monitor incoming and outgoing traffic into the barracks. There are usually additional duties, such as sweeping the entryway, cleaning the entrance restrooms, and checking the barracks laundry room for laundry left overnight. Other duties may include performing radio checks every few hours with other company barracks and battalion headquarters around the base or surrounding installations as well as bed checks to ensure service members are in their rooms with their doors locked by curfew. For example, some U.S. Armed Forces service members stationed in South Korea have a curfew for being on post, and another one for being in their own individual rooms with their doors locked.
Weekend shifts USUALLY (but not always) start at 0700 hours (7:00 a.m.), depending on the military branch and installation, and go for 24 hours. During the work week, the duty starts at between 1600 and 1630 hours (4:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.), also known as Close of Business (COB). Service members are typically excused from duties the following day after being relieved by a senior NCO, in most cases the unit's first sergeant, though the CQ orders may say who in the soldier's COC may relieve him but at all times the unit 1SG will be apprised of the changes and receive his approval of changes.
However Unit SOPs vary between commanders and of course the mission of the unit dictates what the individual's duty will consist. A shift can be 2 hours on-shift 4 off-shit, 4 hours on-shift 8 off-shift, 8 hours on-shift 16 off-shift or even 12 to 24 shifts. When a soldier's relief is present a supervisor post the new shift.
The unit mission will dictate how long a soldier is given between duty off and duty on times.
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You did not give us a real lot information on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Best thing is to do what your NCOs and other Supervisors say and use your COC to debate any problems about duty and time off.
Don't whine.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jun 3 at 2021 9:19 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 21:19:23 -0400

SSG Private RallyPoint Member Ft Knox, 1953. We pulled overnight guard duty and were returned to the company area in time for duty assignments. A Corporal commenced making protests that since we had been on overnight duty we were exempt from erecting the company’s tentage for an airing. The 1SG appeared, called the detail to attention and said, “erect those tents or I will charge y’all with mutiny”. Everyone slouched over to where the pallets of tents were. When I got tired of the detail’s pissing and moaning, I went over to a folded tent, grabbed a corner of a tent which didn’t move. I then called for assistance for that tent and all of the tents were erected within an hour or so!
One of my first acts of leadership!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2021 10:48 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 22:48:14 -0400

No actual regulation that I could find, hasn't been an issue for me though. Most commanders I've seen institute a policy if one isn't already in place. I've usually seen a 24 on 24 off before resuming normal duties. Watched a CSM chew out an SFC for putting a guy who had been on CQ for 24 on a driving mission, CSM told the SM he was excused and was not to perform any duties until first formation the next day.

So while there doesn't seem to be anything that covers it, it seems there's enough people in charge that know sleep deprivation has a negative impact on performance. Especially if vehicles or machinery is involved.

That said, there may be a regulation out there. No harm in asking, that's how you kill the BS that comes from PNN and NCO Chatter.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2021 12:00 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 00:00:08 -0400

I'm not aware of specific regulations dictating recovery periods for guard duty. If you're active duty, you're 24/7, so command dictates what your schedule looks like.
That said, I think I observed you're a Motor Transport Operator, and there are regulations that cover rest periods for 'safe' vehicle operation.. That might be a better 'go-to' for guidance.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2021 12:37 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 00:37:10 -0400

My unit changed from a 0900 CQ to a 0630 to ensure attendance of PT the next day is met.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2021 12:58 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 00:58:02 -0400

Regulations are a "must" most of the time. Meaning the commander is required to abide by them. The Commander must provide a CQ and SD. However when the regulation says that it's usually accomplished in a certain way, it means that is the best practice that works for most units. A Commander can choose to break duties up into 8 or 12 hour shifts with no relief. Officers pull a 24 hour duty and don't get the next day off. In the end, it's up to the Commanders to decide how to delegate risk and responsibility

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Jun 4 at 2021 8:00 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 08:00:47 -0400

No, there is not. At least not that I am aware of.

True story: As a young SGT, I had CQ on September 10, 2001. Which means I was just finishing up duty as the first plane hit the tower, on September 11. I had the wonderful luxury of being the person to tell our CO and 1SG. I had exactly 0 seconds of recovery, as Fort Drum, NY was at an obviously high level of "get ready for anything."

That being said, that was an obviously exceptional circumstance (which is why you probably won't find a regulation REQUIRING specific recovery - to allow for exceptional circumstances). Routinely, overnight duty is granted recovery the following day, unless it is broken up into smaller, manageable shifts (4 hours or less), and/or those who pull overnight duty have an actual overnight "shift" that comprises their "normal duty day" (such as medics in the base hospital, or MPs on overnight patrol). But this is a common sense factor, rather than a requirement, to the extent of my knowledge.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2021 5:53 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 17:53:03 -0400

Unit Sop will cover.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jun 4 at 2021 7:32 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 19:32:57 -0400

I shall provide a clue...

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2021 2:52 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 14:52:04 -0400

The rest of the Army needs to understand what Aviation has long understood: sleep is important.
Yes it is also important to train soldiers to operate when sleep deprived so basic training, NTC rotations, field exercises, swoopy schools still need to suck in that way to a degree but we need to remove unnecessary risk associated with depriving soldiers of sleep in garrison.