What is your opinion on army infantry trying to Reach retirement?

Develop a taste for hot canteen water and bad food, get used to Motrin, and always ALWAYS look after your troops. Be tactically and technically proficient. When your troops trust you and your abilities they will go the limit for you.

Just take care of yourself. Use the medical system when you actually need it, not just because something is sore. Take it seriously when you're young. My biggest regret is the amount of time I wasted as a Joe saying, I'm not staying in so why would I wanna do this, that, or the other. Doesn't matter if you're gonna be in for 3 years or 30 years, put everything you have into it, because at the end of the day your life could quite literally depend on it. Network while you're in. Get to know people, because somewhere down the line you may see them again, and you may both be able to provide help for each other. And most of all, just stay in shape. Hit the gym, get that extra ruck in, put on your kit even when your not in the field and do some PT in it. Let your body adapt to the extra stress before it becomes a shock and then you actually get a serious injury.

Change your MOS at first opportunity. After 3 to 5 years in infantry, move to an MOS supporting the combat arms such as logistics, transportation, maintenance, contracting, IT, supply. These MOS often have direct equivalent civilian jobs. Use the Army to build your training and education with experience outside of combat arms. Use your experience in combat arms to inform your work focusing on the Soldier.

You can also change MOS after a few years too.

After playing college football and working labor jobs until my mid 20’s I got a late start in the Army. I am currently infantry but could not imagine retiring as an infantryman. I’ve already had shoulder surgery. I’m broken enough.

I retired Infantry....Mostly Airborne Units and well enough to survive what could have been a career ending injury.
My advice is simple. Do your job, do it well and....well....Do your job. In addition...NO, Just do your job better than anyone else you know. Try to be the best you can be.

That is if your legs, back and feet will let you stay there

I did, it is hard to do as you advance in age but the only thing holding you back is yourself and injury.

I don’t believe infantry is a field you want to do 20 years straight in. Step away a go to Drill Sergeant School, instruct light infant course or instruct PLDC and BNCO. Get your degree because trust me you will need a second career after your military service is done.

Well as someone who joined 11X and went on to retirement, I can tell you my secret....

RECLASS!!!
LOL