Documentation of activity and rest of a U.S. National Guard attack helicopter battalion

A. U.S. National Guard attack helicopter battalion was monitored in order to document the activity and rest obtained during the annual training exercises. A total of 39 soldiers wore wrist activity monitors during the 2-week training period. The data from these monitors discriminate activity from rest. Results indicated the following: 1) at some point during the exercises, everyone became sleep deprived; 2) the participants who received the most rest of the group were the enlisted headquarters personnel and the pilots; 3) the soldiers who received the least amount of sleep were the commander of the battalion and the maintenance personnel. Some recommendations are offered for future planning of National Guard training exercises.