Sleep Issues Soaring in Military

Perhaps a reflection of the sleep crisis in general society. The pandemic, related anxieties, and our unflinching addiction to our phones have led to the least — and least healthy — sleep in recorded history. Sleep has become almost optional for some. For others, the lack of it is something of a status symbol, e.g. “I’m just so busy.” Sales of artificial sleep aids are at an all-time high. All in all, not a good thing for us, collectively or individually.
 
My funniest sleeping anywhere stories.
After a 9 hour mission I lay down under my aircraft to wait for it to be refueled. A few hours later someone gently shakes my shoulders. I open my eyes and there’s a SP. “Hey sir. You’ve been sleeping here for a couple hours. Want a ride to the hanger?” I never heard the fuel truck.
Another time at a “sheriff base” in Iraq I passed out with the rest of the crew in the back of a UH-60. Again, I awake to someone gently shaking my shoulder. It’s my “customer”, a 3 star. “Hey chief. It’s about time to go. But I was wondering if you could first brew us some of your coffee.” I always carried a small propane heater, whole bean coffee, a hand grinder and a French press in my “bug out bag”. Even if I was shot down I would have a good cup of coffee. He heard my crew chief making fun of me and wanted some “good coffee”.
 
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