Here's an interesting factoid:
The annualized mortality rate of a US soldier is ~100 per 100,000.
The annualized mortality rate of the average US man between the age of 25-34 is 177 per 100,000. (It's 199 per 100k for ages 18-24).
The annualized mortality rate of a US soldier is ~100 per 100,000.
The annualized mortality rate of the average US man between the age of 25-34 is 177 per 100,000. (It's 199 per 100k for ages 18-24).
(Put differently, I don't think there are any morbidly obese people in the military which skews the comparison you're laying out here.)
It's part selection bias, part staying healthy, part not being exposed to accident prone environments.
Still though, as a lifestyle choice it's really safe.
Note, soldiers are initially filtered for health conditions. It's not the same starting point.