British Army recruits want a 10-hour lie in to deal with the rigours of boot camp and cease the from misbehaving, army scientists declare

The centuries-old early morning reveille call signalling the beginning of the Army’s working day may be under threat after military scientists found recruits need a lie-in to help them cope with the rigours of basic training.

Top brass asked experts to look at the training schedule to assess what changes could be made to improve pass rates and tackle the Army’s manning crisis.

After a study lasting several months, the boffins found that the would-be soldiers needed up to ten hours sleep if they are to pass through the rigours of boot camp.

It is all a far cry from the more traditional approach when recruits went to bed late after training and were expected to rise as early as 5am, with their sergeant major – such as the one portrayed by Windsor Davies in the 1970s TV comedy It Ain’t Half Hot Mum – barking orders from dawn till dusk. 

Now Army scientists have found that they perform better, learn more and are less likely to have disciplinary issues if they get up to ten hours kip a night.

They were asked to study sleeping patterns in a bid to reduce ‘wastage’ – when recruits drop-out of basic training without completing the course. 

In some cases, wastage was as high as 45 per cent – and the finger of blame is now being pointed at a lack of sleep. 

The centuries-old early morning reveille call signalling the beginning of the Army’s working day may be under threat after military scientists found recruits need a lie-in to help them cope with the rigours of basic training. (file image of recruits training in in Lympstone)

Top brass asked experts to look at the training schedule to assess what changes could be made to improve pass rates and tackle the Army’s manning crisis (file image)

It is all a far cry from the more traditional approach when recruits went to bed late after training and were expected to rise as early as 5am, with their sergeant major – such as the one portrayed by Windsor Davies (pictured) in the 1970s TV comedy It Ain’t Half Hot Mum – barking orders from dawn till dusk

Room-mates chatting into the early hours, too much time spent scrolling on phones and the temptation of video games mean recruits are often sleep deprived while undergoing hard physical training. 

The scientists discovered that Parachute Regiment rookies got better quality sleep and fewer disciplinary issues when they were allowed to lie in longer in the mornings.

The experts also found that an extra hour in bed reduced anxiety, stress and drop-out rates.

Almost every aspect of recruit training is tightly controlled, with Army orders stating that lights out must be at 10pm with troops being woken at 6am.

Dr Alex Rawcliffe, of the Army Recruit Health and Performance Research Team, told Soldier Magazine: ‘There’s the idea in the military that restrictive sleep can be used as an effective stressor. 

‘While that may have legitimacy in certain situations, there is no evidence to suggest any positive effects in training. 

Now Army scientists have found that they perform better, learn more and are less likely to have disciplinary issues if they get up to ten hours kip a night (file image) 

‘Sleep is critical to the health, wellbeing and performance of recruits, yet its importance can be under-appreciated.’ 

Army sergeant majors are often the ones responsible for ensuring troops get out of bed and are on parade on time, but now even they are becoming converts.

Warrant Officer Class One Jamie Weaver, a Para and the Regimental Sergeant Major of the 2nd Infantry Training Battalion in Catterick, North Yorkshire, said: ‘We all need three things to survive – food, water and sleep. 

‘So if you are training to survive, you must prepare your body with sleep.

‘Giving recruits so little sleep, then wondering why they aren’t learning, is not the right approach.

‘Some struggle academically anyway, then we are depriving them of the thing that aids learning. You can’t give someone three hours per night then wonder what they are achieving on day three – the answer is not very much.’

An Army spokesman said: ‘We are looking at how we can integrate the results of research to ensure that soldiers get good quality and sufficient sleep, which will enhance their health, performance and wellbeing.’