Now I have trouble staying up beyond about 36 hours without getting seriously stupid.
That's amazing. I can't imagine how you can remain sharp and focused enough at that point to avoid getting hurt or killed.
I learned to sleep with my eyes open, while standing, in formation, so I can't really say i've gone too long without some respite.
Regardless, I prefer a little shut eye during the day and then I can go all night for night ops.
I once did about 50 hrs awake in VN ,third night we got hit again and
I slept trough a rocket attack.
The guys all were talking the next A.M. about that nights barrage,they
couldn`t believe I slept through it. I was out of it.
Just a thought,how close are bullets to hear them going by?