Does it ever feel like you are getting old before your time?

SSG Sherman Rivers — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 00:07:15 -0400

We've all put our bodies through years of physical training and stress. Does it ever feel like it's catching up to you? Anyone ever feel like they are getting old before their time? Know anyone who seems to have let themselves fall apart?

Response by SFC Scott O. made Jun 16 at 2014 12:30 AM

SFC Scott O. — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 00:30:46 -0400

Yes my knee's have taken a tole over the last 10 years. You have to get your issues checked out and drive on though. I can't afford to get seperated gotta hold out 10 more years if my body will allow it. I feel like a30 year old in a 40 year old body.

Response by SSG Sherman Rivers made Jun 16 at 2014 2:18 AM

SSG Sherman Rivers — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 02:18:12 -0400

I definitely understand how you feel! i was experiencing a lot of aches and pains over the years. The knees take a tremendous amount of pounding.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jun 16 at 2014 3:29 AM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 03:29:18 -0400

no, not one bit.....not getting old, not authorized!

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Jun 16 at 2014 8:32 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 08:32:24 -0400

I always said that Army years are like dog years to the body! But then again, that would make me pretty ancient! LOL!

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Jun 16 at 2014 9:09 AM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 09:09:32 -0400

Mentally yes. I have been told by many that I act as if I am forty. Physically, it just depends on how much I can keep up with my diet and PT. After being out in the field and eating that crap that the Army calls food for two weeks I feel pretty bloated and bad. A week or so in the gym will hopefully fix that.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2014 9:11 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 09:11:19 -0400

Achilles tendons are in bad shape from years of running. Used to do a lot of hill running - no more. In fact I mostly run treadmills now and then move to outside running right before the APFT.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2014 9:17 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 09:17:55 -0400

Yeah, the years have definitely caught up with me. I recently attended my 20 year high school reunion. I seemed to be in worse shape than those that I graduated with, of course it may have been my life motto when I was in my teens and twenties. "You treat your body like a temple, I will treat mine like an amusement park!"

In all honesty though, after 3 knee surgeries, compressed vertebrae, smashed shoulder and unknown amounts of gray hair, yeah I feel a little older than I think I should.

Response by GySgt Joe Strong made Jun 16 at 2014 10:54 AM

GySgt Joe Strong — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 10:54:55 -0400

I'm not sure how much is psychological and how much is physiological.
I've always been the adult in the room, which was kind of a pain when your friends were all just having fun, being wild and crazy. But worked out well when it's time to lead and be considered for meritorious promotions and such.

Now retired and still working, at 50, or nearly so, even overweight and in my mind, out of shape, I seriously physically outwork my colleagues(often requiring two of them to lift the OTHER side of what needs to be lifted) even as my knees creak, groan, and pop (sometimes loud enough to draw comments). And I wait for my week and and a half every 2-3 years of bed rest when my back chooses to seize (no, the Chiropractor says there's nothing to be done other than buy him a new car every other year - and the back seizure will most likely still occur).

So, yes and no, when measured against my Civilian peers, I seem to be doing really well. When measured against my expectations, I feel really old.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2014 12:35 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 12:35:40 -0400

I didn't join the Army until I was 33 and I am 40 now. I don't feel like I'm out of my 20's some days. I'd try to act my age, but the way I look people wouldn't take me seriously even if I did. Some days, I get tired of people 10-15 years younger than me acting like they are older.... but I smile and put up with it. I x-ray 20 year olds with all kinds of problems.

I count my blessings with this respect, I am lucky to be in good shape and twice their age. There are definitely a lot of soldiers who experience so many difficulties.

From my experience, I can say "stay away from combatives". That is a major source of injuries I observe in soldiers.... I'd like to see if the higher ups could start tracking which injuries come from combatives and once sufficient data is in, do a cost analysis as to how much we lose from injuries due to combatives and take a realistic look at the cost benefit analysis towards that end goal. To do that, there would need to be some sort of flag for cause to be associated with injuries. I don't know if that exists yet.

Response by SSG(P) Auston Terry made Sep 1 at 2014 10:15 AM

SSG(P) Auston Terry — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 10:15:23 -0400

My wife is 4 years older than I am and you'd never guess it with the two of us standing side by side. Years of working on the flightline with no overhead cover, PT, rucks, etc has made me look and feel pretty dang old and I'm not even 30 yet.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2014 2:46 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 14:46:27 -0400

This is what I realized in my early 20s: I REFUSE TO JOKE ABOUT GETTING OLD OR WEAK.

You start even joking like that, your aging accelerates and internalizes, trust me. Whatever age you are, make the best and strongest of it. God set a certain number of days for you on this planet: live EVERY ONE of them fully. You don't have 'next lifetime' that you know of, so stop complaining about 'getting old', and LIVE IT UP ON THIS DECAYING AND DYING PLANET!

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 1 at 2014 2:52 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 14:52:35 -0400

SSG Sherman Rivers It's not the years....it's the mileage.

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made Sep 1 at 2014 3:34 PM

SFC Christopher Perry — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 15:34:39 -0400

I don't know that I have let myself fall apart. I had a 15 year break in service and came back in at 40. I felt I had to keep up or surpass the other folks of a similar grade in order to move up. I have never been one to stand on the sidelines. Had I chosen to stay in the civilian desk job, I doubt I would have had a foot completely rebuilt or be looking at two total knee replacements over the next year. The life we lead is not an easy one! We do this knowing that we shall face health challenges at a much earlier age than most. I also know that I shall be proud to look back at what I have achieved as I grow older. I have much better stories to tell my grand children than I would have as a lifelong car guy.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2014 3:59 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 15:59:34 -0400

I refuse to let myself feel that way. In fact, I continue to run and do physical training to hold off those feelings as long as possible. I refuse to grow old gracefully!

Response by PO1 Shahida Marmol made Jul 14 at 2015 12:40 AM

PO1 Shahida Marmol — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 00:40:04 -0400

Aside from the physical, I believe we feel older than our time, due to our higher expectations and standards.

Response by LTC Craig Peddicord made May 17 at 2016 11:19 AM

LTC Craig Peddicord — Tue, 17 May 2016 11:19:46 -0400

Only if you allow your mind to think so. At 67 I feel pretty good. Had a hip replacement in December and now back to being fully active. A sedentary lifestyle will age you faster both physically and mentally. The Army taught me self-discipline. Your only limitations are those you place upon yourself.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made May 17 at 2016 1:37 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Tue, 17 May 2016 13:37:58 -0400

I noticed I forgot most of my ostentatious words and my body has chronic aches.