Guard duty and other such nonsense....

I have currently been awake for roughly 39 hours. Not too long ago this was fairly normal for me. There was CQ and staff duty and everything else requiring that a soldier stay awake for a few days. This time I did it to myself. And boy, am I tired. I guess I just got used to tuning out the odd sorts of pains that a man gets from staying awake and not eating or drinking water for a couple of days. Mental note: Not healthy, do not repeat.

So my question is....

Why aren't soldiers routinely allowed more sleep? Surely having more effective soldiers should matter more then having a lot. Unless of course the generals cared nothing for victory...

hm....