--- title: "4 insane things service members can do to stay awake" description: "Service members find themselves in situations where they'll have to do whatever it takes to stay awake. Here are some of their methods." date: "2021-05-19" modified: "2021-05-20" authors: - name: "Tim Kirkpatrick" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/tkirkpatrick/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/popular/how-do-soldiers-stay-awake/" categories: - "Join the Military" - "Military Culture" --- # 4 insane things service members can do to stay awake ![A person wearing a ghillie suit with camouflage netting and natural foliage is lying on the ground in dense vegetation, aiming through the scope of a sniper rifle equipped with a bipod. The person's face is partially visible with camouflage paint, and they are focused through the rifle's scope.]() *????????????????????????????????????* Not all deployments are created equal. Some troops primarily work at a desk performing critical operational tasks, while others are out and about undertaking various missions in the bush. Regardless, both schedules usually consist of long hours and a heavy workload which can run anybody down. --- No matter the nature of the mission, staying in the fight and being alert is the key for any personnel deployed. ![]() *Cpl Daniel, a fire team leader, 1st Squad, 2nd Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, posts security while members of the Afghan Narcotics Interdiction Unit search a compound during Operation Speargun in Urmuz, Afghanistan (USMC photo)* So if you're worried about falling asleep when you need to be at your best, check out these simple tricks of the trade to stay awake whole on deployment. --- ### 1. Bangin energy drinks May seem obvious to the average population that drinking a Redbull or pounding a Monster will get their minds firing on all cylinders. But in most cases, deployed troops just don't sip a single energy drink — they take it to a whole new level by chugging multiple cans of the all mighty Rip-it. Splashing water on your face works well too — but that's no fun. ![A pile of various energy drink cans, including Monster Energy in different flavors such as a black can labeled "Zero Carb Monster Energy," a tan can labeled "Java Monster Coffee + Energy," and other brands like Red Bull and Mountain Dew. The cans are stacked closely together.]() *US Army photo* ### 2. Coffee lip One ration the military never seems to ever run off of is coffee. When you're occupying a patrol base or sitting in a fighting hole, coffee machines will be scarce. So instead of filtering water through the grounds, pack a solid pinch of instant coffee from the ole handy dandy MREs into your lip. It tastes like sh\*t, but it can help you keep shuteye at bay. ![stay awake]() *US Army photo* ### 3. "Spicy eyes" This doesn't refer to "the look" that civilian reporter who came by the FOB to interview the colonel gave everyone. It means sprinkling a small amount of Tabasco sauce onto your finger and rubbing the contents under your eyes. Spicy! If it burns a little and wakes you back up, you're doing it right. ![stay awake]() *US Army photo* ### 4. Pain There's nothing worse than drifting off while on post. In fact, if you get caught sleeping, that's a crucial offense. The human body has a natural way of rejuvenating itself by excreting adrenaline into the blood stream. You can accomplish this by pinching yourself, or if that doesn't work, delivering a light love tap across your cheek. It might seem a bit extreme, but it could also save your life and the lives of your comrades. Can you think of any others? Comment below. --- *Feature image: U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Charles Dickens* ## Author Tim Kirkpatrick entered the Navy in 2007 as a Hospital Corpsman and deployed to Sangin, Afghanistan with 3rd Battalion 5th Marines in the fall of 2010. Tim now has degrees in both Film Production and Screenwriting. tim.kirkpatrick@wearethemighty.com