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angCongressional Research Service
Inforrning the legislative debate since 1914
Management of Sleep and Fatigue in Military Aviation
Over the past decade, Congress has expressed interest in the
effects of sleep deprivation on servicemember health and
military readiness, as well as its impact on military aviation
safety. Aviators in all military services of the Department of
Defense (DOD) with high operational, psychological, and
physiological demands may experience sleep deprivation
and fatigue. To counter potential effects of sleep
deprivation and fatigue, the military services use mitigation
strategies (i.e., non-pharmacological and pharmacological
measures) to enhance aviator safety and prevent aviation
mishaps. This In Focus provides an overview of those
mitigation strategies and offers issues for congressional
consideration.
Background
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
estimates that nearly one in three adults do not get enough
sleep, nor meet the Healthy People 2030 (HP2030) criteria
for sufficient sleep (i.e., at least seven hours of sleep per
day). In comparison, the most recently available data from
the 2018 DOD Health Related Behaviors Survey estimated
64.3% of active duty servicemembers did not meet HP2030
criteria. In 2021, DOD reported that 14% of active duty
servicemembers were diagnosed with at least one sleep
disorder. Research indicates a variety of detrimental health
effects arise from sleep deprivation and fatigue.
Sleep deprivation and fatigue are two distinct physiological
states. The National Institutes of Health define sleep
deprivation as a condition that occurs when someone [does
not] get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation is a contributor to
fatigue. The National Library of Medicine defines fatigue
as a feeling of weariness, tiredness or lack of energy.
Sleep deprivation and fatigue can be most apparent when an
individual is awake counter to their circadian rhythm (i.e.,
during the circadian trough of alertness), typically during
the early morning hours (see Figure 1).
Figure 1. Relative Level of Alertness and Wakefulness
Based on Time of Day
Optimal , PEKAlert
CIRCADIANTROUGH
i ea ie a TIM EO DAY(24 HOUR)
Source: CRS graphic adapted from Shappell, et al., Crew Rest and
Duty Restrictions for Commercial Space Flight, 2007.
Updated May 13, 2025
Military aviators may experience sleep deprivation and
fatigue due to a variety of factors, including inhospitable
sleep environments, operational demands, unpredictable
schedules, long-duty days or flight durations, challenging
flight conditions, and circadian-rhythm disruption due to
crossing multiple time zones, known as chronodisruption.
In a March 2021 report to Congress, DOD stated sleep
deprivation has significant effects on the physical,
cognitive, and emotional functioning needed for readiness,
occupational, and operational mission fulfillment. The
report also stated, [r]isk of accident in training,
operational, and combat environments significantly
increases if Service members are sleep deprived.
Fatigue Management in Military Aviation
DOD Instruction 1010.10 directs department leaders to
[h]elp prevent and mitigate the effects of sleep deprivation
among Service members. Each military service is
responsible for implementing its own policies and
procedures to mitigate aviator fatigue and sleep deprivation.
The military services use varied approaches to mitigate
aviator fatigue, including (1) administrative and behavioral
(i.e., non-pharmacological) measures, and (2) the voluntary
use of pharmacological measures. Regulations for each
service emphasize non-pharmacological measures as the
primary means of mitigating fatigue.
Administrative and Behavioral Measures
Administrative and behavioral measures vary by service
and airframe, but all military services limit the length of an
aviator's duty day, total flight hours over a given period,
and standards for rest and time available for sleep. The
services also educate aviators on the impact of sleep loss
and the benefits of consistent sleep.
Pharmacological Measures
Historical Use of Pharmacological Measures. The U.S.
military historically has approved pharmacological
measures for aviators in certain mission contexts. For
example, since at least the Vietnam War, the Air Force and
Navy have authorized the use of pharmacological measures
for select missions and aircrew during combat operations.
The operational need for these measures and comparative
effectiveness with non-pharmacological measures have
been the subject of debate in modern warfare.
Current Use. Sustained high-operations tempo over the
past several decades, among other factors, has generated
persistent demand for the use of pharmacological measures.
The military services authorize aviation medicine
specialists (i.e., flight surgeons) to prescribe U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA)-approved pharmacological
agents as a fatigue management measure when
administrative and behavioral measures are known or
expected to be insufficient.
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