As someone who retired after 22 years in the US Military: Because the toll that way of life takes on your body is at least a magnitude more than most civilians

As someone who retired after 22 years in the US Military: Because the toll that way of life takes on your body is at least a magnitude more than most civilians realize. Years of little sleep in poor condition while under constant low level stress, being in unfamiliar conditions where you never quite feel safe sleeping, constant interruptions because the military activities don't stop while YOU sleep, poor temperature control (hot or cold), poor hygiene availability, poor sleeping surfaces, odd work schedules, short sleeping schedules... Those are just the factors that you deal with for decades that relate to sleep. I wasn't a grunt; I did do a lot of move fast and don't break things or people die stuff (Nuclear Power, SAR Aviation, Amphibious Operations) and that was just how life was. We had a few overweight people, but they were the exception. Those of us who were more senior were just all broken in so many ways. I don't THINK I have sleep apnea, but I do have trouble sleeping from the pain I'm in every night from a back injury and multiple autoimmune issues that cause flareups and pain. The cost on those that serve is absolutely astounding. I don't recommend service to anyone.