Who sleeps more and who works longer in the US Navy: Officers or enlisted personnel?

Abstract

ObjectivesTo determine whether United States Navy (USN) officers and enlisted personnel have different sleep and work patterns while underway on USN surface ships. MethodsVariables of interest were assessed by actigraphy, activity logs, and validated questionnaires. ResultsThe 2 groups had similar daily sleep (officers: 6.41 ± 0.95 hrs/day; enlisted: 6.57 ± 0.97 hrs/day) and work duration. Enlisted personnel, however, were more likely to report excessive daytime sleepiness—EDS (41% more likely), clinically relevant insomnia (105%), to have both EDS and elevated insomnia (121%), to be classified as poor sleepers (17%), to use nicotine products (174%), and to forego routine exercise (57%). Enlisted personnel were 487% more likely to report all 3 of these behaviors: drink caffeinated beverages, use nicotine/tobacco products, forego routine exercise. ConclusionsEven though the work and sleep hours do not differ significantly, the state of well-being of enlisted personnel is in general lower than officers. Our findings can provide insight to Navy leadership towards improving sailor well-being and crew endurance.