Sleep problems and functioning during initial training for a high-risk occupation

The current study sought to characterize the sleep problems of soldiers entering Basic Combat Training and to identify the link between sleep problems and subsequent performance, psychological distress, anger reactions, and attention.

Soldiers were surveyed at 4 time points throughout the standard 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training. Surveys were administered at weeks 1, 3, 6, and 9. Sleep problems were identified as either present or absent at each time point using a sleep problem screening questionnaire. Four sleep patterns were identified and then used to evaluate outcomes throughout training (n = 1577).

When compared to those who never had a sleep problem ("healthy "; 60.6%), those who recovered from their initial sleep problem ("recovered"; 12.8%) started training with higher psychological distress and anger reactions and lower attention but steadily improved throughout training. Those who developed a sleep problem during training ("new onset"; 20.0%) and those who had a sleep problem throughout training ("chronic"; 6.6%) also started off significantly worse than the healthy group. The new-onset and chronic groups saw slower psychological distress improvement and a decline in attention throughout the course compared to the healthy group. The chronic group also significantly increased their anger reactions throughout training compared to the healthy group.

Sleep problems during Basic Combat Training may be an indicator for difficulties managing entry into the military. These findings highlight the importance of improving sleep health for soldiers throughout Basic Combat Training and for others with similar training in high-risk occupations.