He’s Outrunning Time: At 74, this U.S. Air Force veteran is still leading from the front — one mile at a time.

Before the sun rises over Ferriday, Louisiana, Colonel Herman Curry is already out running. At 74, this retired colonel, SWAT team founder, JROTC instructor, and all-around powerhouse is logging up to 10 miles a day  — even while battling type 2 diabetes.

But when diabetic neuropathy nearly stopped him in his tracks, Colonel Curry found help at Diabetes Relief of Louisiana, where Dr. Gary Jones offered PIR therapy that helped him “get his life back.”

By day’s end, Curry will have logged 10 miles, spread across a schedule that includes teaching four Junior ROTC classes at Natchez High School. He runs two miles with each class and then caps his day with one final mile after he gets home.

A Lifetime of Service

Curry was born in 1949 into a family deeply rooted in military tradition. One brother joined the Army, another the Marine Corps. Curry charted his own path in the U.S. Air Force, committing 38 years to military service and rising to the rank of colonel.

After his military retirement, Curry was called to a new mission — one that put him on the frontlines of Detroit’s crime crisis in the 1980s. With violent crime rates climbing, city leaders tapped Curry to build a tactical response team that could change the tide.

Setting the Standard

Curry traveled to Israel for intensive training by one of the world’s most elite counter-terrorism units. He trained in live-fire exercises, hostage rescue tactics and urban warfare simulations.

“I was taught how to survive when seconds decide everything,” Curry said. “That kind of training stays with you.”

When Curry returned stateside, he formed Detroit’s first Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team — the first nationally certified SWAT unit in the U.S. The team became a benchmark for police tactical units across the country.

Physical standards were high. Team members were required to complete a three-mile run in under 18 minutes. Curry, a lifelong runner, led from the front.

“I never asked my team to do something I wouldn’t do myself,” he said.

His leadership style — equal parts tactical and tenacious — earned him respect throughout the force. He led high-risk entries and complex operations with focus and resolve.

A New Kind of Mission

Today, Curry wears a different uniform. As a JROTC instructor at Natchez High School in Mississippi, he’s shaping the next generation of leaders. His lessons go far beyond marching drills or push-ups.

“These kids need structure,” he said. “They need someone to show them they’re capable of more than they think.”

Curry runs with all four of his classes — two miles each. Before a recent knee injury, that meant about 10 miles a day. He’s currently running six but plans to return to his usual pace.

“I’ll be back to 10 soon,” he said, without hesitation.

The Unexpected Battle

Despite a lifetime of physical fitness, Curry received an unexpected diagnosis several years ago: type 2 diabetes. His first warning sign was excruciating neuropathy in his feet.

“It felt like my feet were on fire,” he said. “I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t run.”

He sought help at Diabetes Relief of Louisiana, a specialized clinic founded by Dr. Gary Jones, a fellow veteran and cardiovascular surgeon based in Alexandria, Louisiana. Through an innovative new therapy designed to treat the root cause of diabetes, Curry felt relief almost immediately.

“The pain is gone. I’m sleeping again. I’m running again,” Curry said.

His wife, Audrey, a registered nurse, has helped manage his diet and overall health. They raised two children who share the same discipline and values.

A Voice for Veterans

Now, Curry is using his story to inspire others — especially fellow veterans managing chronic conditions.

“Start where you are,” he said. “Even if it’s just a few steps a day. Keep moving. Gradually, you’ll build endurance. Before you know it, you could be walking a mile or more daily.”

Dr. Jones said Curry is the embodiment of what veterans can accomplish post-service.

“He’s the kind of person who inspires everyone around him,” Jones says. “His story shows what’s possible when discipline meets determination. We’re proud to be a part of his journey.”

The Road Ahead

Ask Curry about retirement, and he just laughs.

“I’ll stop when I can’t move anymore,” he said. “But until then, I’m not slowing down.”

From the Air Force to the classroom — and every mile in between — Herman Curry continues to lead from the front.