Long term health effects from a career in the forces.

[TheJono]

Long time reader, first time poster here. I'm interested in joining the forces, I'd like to know from the veterans on here, from your personal experience, what have been the long term health effects of your career. Have your knees gone, back problems? etc. I'm interested in joining as a combat engineer and would like to do a full career 20 years + in the forces. However, i'm worried about the long term health effects that might plague me from a life of heavy lifting, physical and mental exertion etc. I'd just like to know personally from the soldiers(preferably but not limited to combat arms) what problems/minor annoyances  you've faced health wise as a result of life in the forces. Thanks.

 

[dangerboy]

It is hard to answer that question as I don't know what my body would be like if I did not spend 20 years in the military.  The only thing I am positive I can attribute to being in the military is my hearing, from being exposed to explosions and gunfire which I most likely would not have been exposed to if I was working somewhere else.  The other problems I have experienced, sore knees, back, ankle, and hip who knows it could be just normal wear and tear and no mater what job I was working, at my age would experience them.

 

[PPCLI Guy]

Long time reader, first time poster here. I'm interested in joining the forces, I'd like to know from the veterans on here, from your personal experience, what have been the long term health effects of your career. Have your knees gone, back problems? etc. I'm interested in joining as a combat engineer and would like to do a full career 20 years + in the forces. However, i'm worried about the long term health effects that might plague me from a life of heavy lifting, physical and mental exertion etc. I'd just like to know personally from the soldiers(preferably but not limited to combat arms) what problems/minor annoyances  you've faced health wise as a result of life in the forces. Thanks.

It is a proven fact that every single person who ever joins the Forces will eventually die...

 

[Journeyman]

But many of those who never experience Forces' life truely live  :nod:

 

[seadog70]

Well speaking from an "older" perspective, aches and pains in the knees, joints and back are part of getting older. You'll get them eventually. One thing I can say about the forces, is that while I myself am still a "newbie", I've been healthier since I joined, in better shape, and received tons of encouragement to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which helps offset those aches and pains from getting the better of you. Basically, the better shape you're in, the longer your body's gonna last. Of course, the harder you are on your body, the quicker it may start to breakdown on you, but you can have any number of civilian jobs that will tear your body apart, the real difference here is the support and accessability of fitness equipment that's available for you to use.

 

[PuckChaser]

Took 10 years for the Army to take my ACL. Fingers crossed I've got another 10 years before the other one goes. Your mileage may vary, some people do 30 years in great health, some people have awful luck and get hurt all the time. I'd definitely agree with Seadog about getting into shape and staying that way. The human body is surprisingly resilient, no matter what the CF tries to do to it.

 

[Chernoble]

I did 10 years in the PPCLI and now 6 years Air Force.  I have no negative physical effects from any of this "time in".  If you take care of your body above and beyond what the Forces offers you, it will take care of you.  If you eat like crap, drink, smoke and do no conditioning other than Unit PT, you will end up with pretty big problems in the long run. 

Not to worry though, you can do what everyone else does and blame their self inflicted injuries and issues on the Forces and try to squeeze money out of Vetran's Affairs.

 

[Jarnhamar]

Not to worry though, you can do what everyone else does and blame their self inflicted injuries and issues on the Forces and try to squeeze money out of Vetran's Affairs.

What a great positive attitude you have towards your brothers and sisters in the CF who have legitimate work related injuries. 

Attitudes like yours really help our suffering kin to overcome the stigma placed on seeking help and dealing with VA.

 

[The_Falcon]

I developed Bi-lateral chronic compartment syndrome in my calves, punctured a patella tendon with barb wire on PLQ Mod 6, and went to the sandbox with a perfectly normal thyroid and came back with an abnormal one, as my immune system is now trying to kill it off.

Experiences vary.

 

[Chernoble]

What a great positive attitude you have towards your brothers and sisters in the CF who have legitimate work related injuries. 

Attitudes like yours really help our suffering kin to overcome the stigma placed on seeking help and dealing with VA.

You are obviously of the pre 90's generation who still thinks that this is a family and not a job/career.  To each, their own.

In response to your comment, look around you.  Many of the problems the people I work with are self inflicted due to obesity and general laziness.  We are a reflection of our population.  Legitimate injuries that are actually work related are completely fine in my opinion.

Some of my dischord spawns from the difficulty in attaining basic (medical) support for just about anything because I am "healthy".  The squeaky, or in this case, fat, wheel get's the oil

 

[57Chevy]

Not to worry though, you can do what everyone else does and blame their self inflicted injuries and issues on the Forces and try to squeeze money out of Vetran's Affairs.

Attitudes like yours really...

stink big time. :nod:

I applied for the UTPNCM last year and am waiting......
......
hoping for a spot!

And you wanna be an officer  :facepalm:

 

[Jarnhamar]

You are obviously of the pre 90's generation who still thinks that this is a family and not a job/career.  To each, their own.

Same TI as you and I consider the CF my family, especially the soldiers I'm responsible for. I don't consider it a short coming.

In response to your comment, look around you.  Many of the problems the people I work with are self inflicted due to obesity and general laziness.  We are a reflection of our population.  Legitimate injuries that are actually work related are completely fine in my opinion.

you can do what everyone else does and blame their self inflicted injuries and issues on the Forces and try to squeeze money out of Vetran's Affairs.

PT and conditioning on your own time IS self-inflicted.  Perhaps you should have been more specific instead of saying "what everyone else does". Not everyone is out to squeeze every penny from VA.

Some of my dischord spawns from the difficulty in attaining basic (medical) support for just about anything because I am "healthy".  The squeaky, or in this case, fat, wheel get's the oil

I'm not suggesting there are not malingers or lazy soldiers but on the same note soldiers who don't get small injuries sorted out can become combat ineffective after those little aches turn into chronic problems that require specialists and time off work.

 

[The Bread Guy]

.... Not to worry though, you can do what everyone else does and blame their self inflicted injuries and issues on the Forces and try to squeeze money out of Veteran's Affairs.

Really?  And should all those dealing with PTSD just "pull themselves up by their bootstraps"?

Pretty broad brush you're painting with, there.

 

[OldSolduer]

I did 10 years in the PPCLI and now 6 years Air Force.  I have no negative physical effects from any of this "time in".  If you take care of your body above and beyond what the Forces offers you, it will take care of you.  If you eat like crap, drink, smoke and do no conditioning other than Unit PT, you will end up with pretty big problems in the long run. 

Not to worry though, you can do what everyone else does and blame their self inflicted injuries and issues on the Forces and try to squeeze money out of Vetran's Affairs.

Why do you see fit to dishonour those who have served and seen friends die, right in front of them? Why do you see fit to paint all our comrades who do have PTSD with the same brush over a few phonies?

I think you need.....never mind.....your mind is made up that PTSD is non-existant, and those that suffer a grievous loss just have to "get over it" :facepalm:

 

[GAP]

Someone please take his mirror away from in front of him......this self licking ice cream cone mantra is a little tiring......

 

[Bzzliteyr]

Someone please take his mirror away from in front of him......this self licking ice cream cone mantra is a little tiring......

Well, he is airforce now..

 

[PMedMoe]

Why do you see fit to dishonour those who have served and seen friends die, right in front of them? Why do you see fit to paint all our comrades who do have PTSD with the same brush over a few phonies?

To be fair, the OP asked about physical health effects and I believe that's what Chernoble was referring to.

That said, he may think that PTSD is self-inflicted too.

 

[Sythen]

To be fair, the OP asked about physical health effects and I believe that's what Chernoble was referring to.

That said, he may think that PTSD is self-inflicted too.

Not to worry though, you can do what everyone else does and blame their self inflicted injuries and issues on the Forces and try to squeeze money out of Vetran's Affairs.

 

[PMedMoe]

Okay, got me there.  I didn't read it that way.  :dunno:

 

[Staff Weenie]

Back to the OP's post - any career you choose in life will have an impact on your body.  Sitting at a desk can lead to lower back pain, eye strain, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

I do not have stats available, but I can tell you that many visits to the Base clinics are for musculoskeletal injuries.  Knees, backs, shoulders, etc.  Service in the Forces does place a strain on your body, and on your mind.  I can almost guarantee that you will be injured somehow in a career - be it a sprained ankle, pulled back muscles, cuts and bruises. Your best bet is to counter it with sound exercise routines, and a healthy lifestyle.

I can tell you, that while there is always room for improvement, the CF has so much to offer to prevent injuries.  We have Strengthen the Forces programs offering advice on healthy lifestyle choices, we have some excellent gyms out there, and a fitness staff that can work with you, and we have some damn fine health care professionals in case you are injured (Also note that our wait times for treatment are typically very much less than for civilians).

After twenty-one years of service, my medical file is on volume II or III - but I've got no regrets.