Is your body breaking down in a hurry?

I started breaking down about 5 years after joining at 18, so since I was 23 I've been dealing with the knees that went first and it slowly went downhill from then. I've got degenerative joint disease of the knees which causes severe pain as it gets worse. It's to the point now I need both knees replaced. I've had several arthroscopies so now it's to the point I have very little cartilage left, and get knee shots twice a year until I'm 60 and below 250 pounds.

By the time of my last deployment I had multiple 2's and 3's under my PULHES, and then got hit by an IED. I was route clearance with V shaped hulls for protection.

But when you have the mentality of mission first at all costs, and I'll sleep when I'm dead, that doesn't bode well for the body, and as age crept on me like the reaper it kept getting worse. But we old timers know that Motrin is a cure all we just kept taking more.

I was a Combat Engineer, Motorized, Mechanized and Wheeled, graduate of the SAPPER Leader Course, and other things that don't work well with the body, at least I didn't jump, wanted to but never did. That might be a good thing.

So, yeah, I can tell you it's part genetics, part being in shape, and 100% mental that keeps us going.

Its all about Nutrition !! What you put in it for fuel. You don't do PT in a shoe from Payless or Wal-Mart do you? They only provide a product that is just minimally adequate for your needs. Most foods today are the same way.. You must Supplement your nutrition. (Full Disclosure) I am in the industry, 45 years old
and in the best shape of my life. I have remained active feed my body right, take Supplements/Vitamins, and get lots of Rest for recovery..
Like the Shoe analogy find a reputable company. Not all are the same.. Just like not all beers are the same. LOL

Aches and pains come with age no matter what shape you are in, what your occupation is or activities you do.
I cant tell you how to prolong your career in the military. Bit out of my lane ill admit due to how mine went.
The Secret to physical longevity in my opinion is listen to your body. It will tell you when its had enough. The more you do to it now while in the military or push off getting any issues looked at in order to continue with the mission can show its ugly head later. When you go to the Army Hospital, look at the retirees. They are mostly there due to service related injuries.
The other secret to me is stay active. Not just at work but at home as well. Regular exercise, even short walks can keep you loose and limber and not let the joints, bones and muscles stagnate. Thats where injuries will show later in life in some cases is due to this stagnation.
I retired at 38 with hearing loss one bad shoulder and one worse along with an aching knee from time to time and a neck ache from a jump injury 18 years prior. But I saw myself no worse for wear and continued my outdoor activities of camping, hiking and backpacking along with other activities to include a lot of walking. Almost everyday in fact.
At 42 now, I have a herniated disk (see neurologist today to find out if I get cut) that occured while breaking up a dog fight on a walk on Veterans day Weekend. This includes nerve pain and leg numbness. I joke that all those years jumping has now caught up to me which may be true. I may have had a ticking time bomb for years, that fight break up set it off. But in that, I wont let it stop me. Get the doc to fix not bandade it so life continues. I still continued, before this appointment and to my wifes adamant disagreement, continue with my usual activities with some exceptions i.e. cant hike or long strolls. Once fixed it will be full throttle again.
I cant emphasise enough. Just listen to your body and light exercise and youll do fine. Playing video games and WII dont count.

In a hurry is an understatement.

Hello, I am a distance runner from Texas. I started my basic training @ your base back in 1985, so I knows your area. I did 25 miles a day until a few months ago. If yourstill jumping for your wings, then you have no chose but to man up. USE GNC Products, like us old military guys and go on. STARS and STRIPES reported that a certain of #CAPTAINS did not make the CUT for EDUCATION, and thus no time in grade and no #PENSION.

I did get my 21 yr retirement back in 2003. wish you luck.

Yes my wife says i have the body of an 80 year old man. I have Arthritis in both my knees. my back goes out ever month at least once. i have degenerative joint in my right shoulder. and i Snap, Crakle, And Pop every time i move. Dont let your pain make you go stagnet because when i did that everything got worse. Once i started getting back in shape and moving more i felt better the pain is there but that is what alieve is for.

Good topic, I'm 48 in human years but my body is mid twenties....and I have been in since 86....and played semipro ball for three years, however not without price as the last five yrs I have had several surgeries but I'm back at it. I really don't know if there is any secret but take care of yourself because once your body goes then the military normally MEB you out

I am 38 and still scoring 290-300 on the PT test. Aleve (naproxin) seems to help me the most, but I had to take it every day for a week before it really started making a difference and I have to take it every day for maintenance.