Is working 84 hours a week to much, even though your in the military?

Answer 1

Contrary to what another poster said, there are no "set" hours just because one is in the Air Force.

Serving in the military is a 24/7 job and you will work until the job is finished. As several people have said, you are required to have four hours of sleep, but sometimes we can't even get that. I am USAF deployed to Baghdad (like the other guy, I am Intel as well) and I have been working 13-14 hour days 7 days a week for the past 10 months (only 2 more months of no sleep to go!). I'm luckier than most; some people in my shop have worked straight through their "off time" and worked their next shift as well (total of 36 hours straight)!! My longest day was 19 hours.

Is it too much? Probably... is there anything you can do about it? Nope. To me, it helps to think of how I may be helping people by doing my job... if staying an extra two hours to finish a product saves someone's life then it is well worth the lost sleep.

Answer 2

No. It happens all the time in the military. Especially when deployed. You are required to get 4 hours of sleep but there are exceptions. There is nothing saying you can't work more than 10-12 hours or that you need days off. I worked 14-18 hours a day for 6 months while deployed to Iraq and I was in Intel.

It feels like too much, don't get me wrong but when you get out of the military you will appreciate your free time that much more. Its something that not many civilians can understand.

The Airforce might have it but the Army and Marines certainly do not.

Answer 3

I think 84 hours is too much... But as a civilian Vascular Surgeon, I routinely worked well in excess of 100 hours for very little pay during my 5 years of training.

I am in no way attempting to compare the rigorous demands of a soldier in a conflict zone to my responsibilities during my surgical training. I just think that at some point during our careers, we are used as indentured servants because we simply have no alternative. As a surgical resident for 5 years followed by a 2 year fellowship in Vascular Surgery I never made more than 40k per year and I worked my balls off. As a Resident or Fellow, you are considered a "Student" and are therefore not protected by labour laws. This was a very smart way of ensuring that overtime doesn't exist and that no caps be made on our work week. I routinely worked 36 hour shifts, literally, every 2nd night, and I was caring for very sick, pre/post surgical patients. This is mentally and physically taxing, and frankly after about 6 to 10 hours in the OR followed by another 26 hours covering every surgical patient in the SICU, Floor or the E.D., my decision-making ability was poor.... so much so that I was invariably a danger to my patients as were my surgical colleagues. It served no educational purpose, as others might claim. It was nothing more than a very cheap way to keep the hospital staffed with Surgeons who make less than $40,000/yr. and thus keep our wonderful system of healthcare rolling.

At the end of the day, it's all about cost cutting irrespective of the damage that results from sleep deprivation. I don't think it's right, or fair, but only the powers that be can do something about it... but frankly, I'm not holding my breath.

Answer 4

Yes. Even through the military has a guideline that "all a soldier requires is 4 hrs of sleep" they are ultimately responsibility for any action that occur due to a lack of sleep. Some situation cannot be helped but, for the most part, you should not work more than 10-12 hrs per day for no more than 6 days straight. The average should be 10 hrs per day for 5 days (this includes physical fitness in the a.m.).

Answer 5

Having been in the military and retired, I don't know of anyone who worked 84 hour weeks continuosly. During combat operations, extended duty is expected, during short staffing and deployment it is common, but there are always breaks. Even during a 15 month deployment, the troops generally, are rotated to areas where they have down time.Otherwise you are suggesting a 12 hour day 7 days a week constantly for 20 years, which has never happened, though has oftern been complained of. Even 16 hour days is not unheard of, but any commander who did this for any extended period would be relieved, as his disease and non combat injury rate would increase significantly amd mission accomplishment would drop.

Answer 6

Something seriously, seriously amiss here! No way should you be working / on duty for those hours. U've not mentioned if its active, support or camp / base duties! So harder still to qualify it!

However, as an ex para combat vet apart from active field service (insertion, patrols, being lifted out or marching to safe zones) I've never once worked that kind of idiotic week. Yes on occasion the balloon goes up, everyone sets too, days / hrs go with it!

Know of many, many instances guys raising hell at base or other stupid hrs (out of combat zones) & its been settled in no time! + of course both officers and NCO's would have to account for it!

Not a question lack of discipline! Its plain common sense! Airborne forces are somewhat different and make no mistake about it! I've seen colonels and above make tea / touring base camps in the dead of night / share a chat, smoke, cup of cofee with their men.

Moreover, in the airborne whatever a gripe might be - discipline is rigid and in rooted!

Answer 7

When did the military become a 9 to 5 job?

Answer 8

No. I worked those kind of hours when I was in the military (for 20 years, I'm retired). I also averaged 75-80 hour weeks working to jobs to put my son through private school after I retired.

Answer 9

When I was in Iraq, I worked 60 to 70 hours a week for 10 months.

Answer 10

It is a lot for anyone, but at this point it is pretty average in many fields in the military, especially if you are in a deployment or in an area of direct support for a deployed unit. Between the increase in activity levels and the drain on manpower, many units have to work long shifts to just meet minimum manning requirements. I do feel for you and your family...but thank you for making the sacrifice.