What does everyones watch rotation look like? We are currently standing a 2 on 2 off day/mid rotation.. If you don't know what that is, that would be a day shift one day from 0630 to 1830, then the following day you come in at 1830 and get off at 0630.. then you have the rest of that day off, plus one more day and then start the day/mid rotation again. Am I the only one who thinks this is the worst possible rotation for the body and sleep schedule? I don't know the last time I was able to get a good night, or day's sleep for that matter.. And when I do want to sleep, it when I can't be sleeping! (like during watch)!! anyways, the point of this isn't to sound like a whiner.. I'm trying to figure out other possible rotations I can present to the command.. IMO, the best rotation would be standing straight day or mids for at least 2 weeks straight.. soo d/d then 2 off, or m/m then 2 off..
Well, we're doing a three on three off two months of days followed by two months of night; on average, with the exception that rank has its priviledge and we must of course work around that, no matter how unfair. I've stood your skedule and even worse until people start getting diagnosed with sleep disorders (as I already have been) then it won't change. I got so bad that I couldn't go to sleep unless I was awake for 72 hrs. Thats when I would crash for 20. When I finally crashed medical threw some sleeping pills at me and ordered me to set a routine...."routine" hahaha. It's now two years later and I still can't get more than 4 hrs of consecutive sleep but not changing your internal clock around so often does help. Not that you care, but I feel that I even poop better after about a week of standing a steady watch.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: bornrd,
I have been contemplating going to medical for sleep problems for a long time now. The reason I have not gone is because I was worried they would say I'm unfit as a watchstander or something along those lines and I don't want that to happen.. I need my job!
I wish people would realize there are better watch rotation alternatives.
That was the reason I put it off for so long, but if your seriously having problems you should go see them. The main concern is you. Without you the watch will go on, and i know it sucks but put your pride aside before you or someone else gets hurt. If it's anything like what I went through it's just a matter of getting "proper sleep hygeine". I personally don't take drugs for anything, I'd rather collapse than take anything but that sleep aid they gave me was the best thing ever. I was actually sleeping 7-8 hours everynight while I was taking it (i only took it for about two weeks). All I can recommend is talking to your chain of command and see if they would be willing to experiment with other schedules. As for going to medical, if you ever feel you have a problem don't hesitate it can only get worse without help.
We're on a 3 on 3 off here (0600-1800). 2 sets of days then 2 sets of nights. Now that we finally have enough people, there is talk of swithching to our holiday routine, 2 on 2 off 2 on 4 off. Keeping my fingers crossed.
My wife has been trying to get me to go to medical but I dont want anything on my record either. Alternating Tylenol PM and Benadryll for those really restless nights/days. Usually get a good 4 1/2 hours of sleep on those.
The watches themselves arent bad at all, its just switching from Days to Nights or vice versa that kills me. My biorythym never gets a chance to adjust accordingly. Oh well.....guess I'll get some sleep when I reitre LOL
You know it's freekin sad but that is way too common a story in the OS world. I hear it all the time..."i just take (insert legal drug of choice here)" I've heard all sorts of remedies for getting better sleep from a six pack o beer, to nyquil, tylenol PM, or my personal favorite I heard a few months ago; "I take 2 motrin and a glass of wine"....yeah thats healthy. Keep in mind if you keeping sticking this crap down your throat then little by little you'll keep increasing the dosages to increase effectiveness. In essence it's self medication, which is far more dangerous than a doc medicating you. Oh yeah, but that would mean you have to go to the doc on your day off...
The CG really should address the watch rotations a little better. Perhaps more command center personnel will be required, that seems the only logical fix. Perhaps as well the no more than 3 off rule can be revisited for command center watch standers.
I live an hour from work, i know it is my own fault, but was the affordable option. But I could not tell you how many times i have driven home, layed in bed and could not remember 1 thing about my drive home. I've caught myself bobbing and weaving. Have not fully fell asleep at the wheel, knock on wood. But if you want to put the scenerio on a GAR model??? Yea, i know, bad.
I've had times where the watch went like so, 1 day, 1 night, 1 off, 1 day, 1 night. I don't know about anyone else, but it is extremely difficult to sleep after a midwatch, then force yourself that same day to get to bed early enough for the next day watch. Alot of tossing and turning, fall asleep about 330am and the alarm goes off at 4am.
Anyhow, the schedule is not always that bad, thats just the worst thats happened at my current unit. Luckily for me, some smart person created cell phones and the wife is more then willing to get up in the morning and "Talk" me home.
But i am not complaining about my job, i love my job in the CG, just could use a little more sleep lol.
Originally posted by s12345: What does everyones watch rotation look like? We are currently standing a 2 on 2 off day/mid rotation.. If you don't know what that is, that would be a day shift one day from 0630 to 1830, then the following day you come in at 1830 and get off at 0630.. then you have the rest of that day off, plus one more day and then start the day/mid rotation again. Am I the only one who thinks this is the worst possible rotation for the body and sleep schedule? I don't know the last time I was able to get a good night, or day's sleep for that matter.. And when I do want to sleep, it when I can't be sleeping! (like during watch)!! anyways, the point of this isn't to sound like a whiner.. I'm trying to figure out other possible rotations I can present to the command.. IMO, the best rotation would be standing straight day or mids for at least 2 weeks straight.. soo d/d then 2 off, or m/m then 2 off..
I can say that over the years I have pretty much stood every different kind of watch rotation that there is. You just have to deal with it. When you get new people in it will get better. It just comes with the job.
2 on 2 off is the standard break-in rotation normally at Sector hampton Roads, unless unusual occurances arise, then its monday thru friday 0730-1530 with nights and weekends off.
Then the qualified schedule is 2 on 3 off and occasionally a 4th day marked as a dayworking day or a 4th illegal off day in which you get off early or you don't show up at all depending on your supervisor to catch up on something you gotta get done out in town (they do professional development on the dayworking days.) Mostly all watch standers here have profesional development days to come in and daywork to get quals for other watches signed off, catch up on GMT, go to dental/medical, etc.
Originally posted by coastie0002: 2 on 2 off is the standard break-in rotation normally at Sector hampton Roads, unless unusual occurances arise, then its monday thru friday 0730-1530 with nights and weekends off.
Then the qualified schedule is 2 on 3 off and occasionally a 4th day marked as a dayworking day or a 4th illegal off day in which you get off early or you don't show up at all depending on your supervisor to catch up on something you gotta get done out in town (they do professional development on the dayworking days.) Mostly all watch standers here have profesional development days to come in and daywork to get quals for other watches signed off, catch up on GMT, go to dental/medical, etc.
It works out pretty good.
Must be nice to have the people to do that with...I've been here for three years and we have never been fully manned for a period longer than three months.
Folks, I've watchstood most of my career also and yes, it is hard on the body although I've never really had the sleep issue but it was harder to sleep soundly after mids due to coffee which is needed to stay awake...quite a conundrum! I've read some studies on that and agree it may be best for extended days then switch to nights rather than on/off like 2/2 2/3 and such skeds. Bottom line regardless which one you do, it wont meet everyones needs and nights have to be stood but, the extended ones may overall be best on the personnel who have to stand the watch. Best way to approach is to talk w/fellow watchstanders, check around and propose a sked to the command that all desire and have agreed to; especially if you have enough personnel to work it. If medical is throwing pills at you for sleep issues then they must really not understand the whole watchstanding thing so shame on them. If all else fails and you tried, well, as underwayforlife stated, sometimes you just have to deal with it for a season until transfer or you relad.
Yes everybody knows that lack of sleep is bad for you. Just be glad that you are in the Coast Guard and can cry about it to someone and it may be changed. You could be in the sand box with little to no sleep getting shot at or having IED's make you wet yourself on a daily basis. OS is a watchstanding rate. Go YN or SK if you don't like.
Until people felt the need to come in "wearing the big boy pants" no one was complaining, just discussing. In fact, the only complaining being done is by the folks telling everyone to get over "it". So, I suppose, those with the real chip on their shoulders, would be the one's pretending to where "the big boy pants."
This message has been edited. Last edited by: bornrd,
Its not called crying about it, its stating a fact that has nothing to do with anything you mentioned. Its a very real issue that takes peole with a pair to stand up and say something needs to be done. I sick of smart @@ses that think we sould suck it up. THATS WHAT GETS PEOPLE KILLED. Its also called taking care of your people and trying to rectify the situation. I know the CG has recently done studies, but it sure hasnt seem to make any differance.
Not sure what Bornrd meant by his last post or who he/she was directing it to but, my intent was to offer some assistance/way ahead here based on personal experience since it was being discussed and it is/always was a problem. If that is being interpreted as "wearing the big boy pants" then my bad! Please continue to enjoy your discussion of the watch rotation topic and lack of sleep. Au revior!
Wasn't gonna chime in on this one but now I feel I should.
TCIC - I know you and obviously understand where you are coming from. Please continue to contribute to this and other topics, you knowledge is vast as shown by your current assignment.
I don't feel that anyone came in here "wearing the big boy pants". Everyone has stated thier position or current schedule and what works good for them. This is a regularly discussed item on these boards.
If you don't like the schedule you have do what has been suggested before. Come up with your own idea, make sure that time it equal for everyone, or as close as you can get, and then present it to your OSC or OS1. They are the ones who will give a go or no go on a schedule change. Doesn't really matter if everyone agrees or not. If they don't like your schedule they can say no changes at this time.
I have stood really good schedules, 7 on days, 7 off, 7 on nights, and I have done really bad schedules, 2days 2 nights, 4 off. While that doesn't seem bad, switching from days to night like that is not all that good on your sleeping. The break in schedule at my current unit is 3 on 2 off until you are qualified. If you fail a qual board twice it goes to a 3 on 1 off until you pass.
Things can be worse in our world. You don't like the way something is going, come up with a solution that works long term, not for a short quick fix.
Thinkin' Bornrd's response was to the suck it up and stop crying post. The you will like it response seems to be a trend on here over the last year or two. That and seeing who can kiss the MC's rear end online the most.
As Bill Wells used to say "Of course, that's just my opinion." Never been known for my tact.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: d_b_j,
Question, has anyone, now that we have gone to sectors, been in a command center that is fully staffed? Both sectors I've seen sure haven't. The fact is, good rotations will only be the norm when the billets catch up with what's been implemented. I'd rather stand a $hitty watch rotation than day work. I start having a problem with a rotation when there isn't enough people for one person to go on leave. Thats just wrong.
