Final answer:
Soldiers require at least 7-8 hours of sleep for optimal operational readiness, as sleep debt can greatly reduce alertness and performance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Soldiers need a minimum of 7-8 hours of high quality sleep to sustain operational readiness. The National Sleep Foundation highlights the importance of sufficient sleep, pointing out the consequences of sleep debt, which include decreased alertness and mental efficiency. Insufficient sleep can lead to a compromised ability to perform duties effectively, something that is especially critical for soldiers who may need to be constantly ready for battle and maintain high standards of unit cohesion. Historical references show that soldiers have always been expected to maintain a high level of readiness, with Roman soldiers being an extreme example where falling asleep on guard duty could result in the harshest penalties. Even in more recent times, during the Vietnam War, mental health and sleep were recognized as essential for the well-being of soldiers.