MBP CPU usage at 90%?

I've got an MBP that I've had for a couple years now that just started acting up... What's weird is that this thing is the battle MB.  It's been with me through 3 deployments and a tour in Iraq and hasn't given up yet.  But, recently its been REALLY sluggish.
Hopefully someone out there can help me figure out what the problem is based on these symptoms:
Extremely sluggish... CPU usage is on average > 70% with no processes running
          i.e. kernel_task is often using nearly all of the processing power
Takes about 30 minutes to start up and will often fail during boot up
The battery recently failed (exploded), so there is no battery installed
I have no access to parts or support because, as per usual, I am currently deployed... Anyone out there seen this before and can help me out?
Thanks.

Welcome, Matthew!
"Extremely sluggish... CPU usage is on average > 70% with no processes running"
Activity Monitor defaults to display "My Processes." You can change its "Show" option--set it to "All Processes" and you will probably find the culprit that's hogging the processor. The typical hog belongs to the system, not your user account. It's usually an automated backup package (other than Time Machine) or unneeded anti-virus software.Symantic/Norton is very bad in this respect.
If you did had AM set to show all processes, let us know. Normally, nothing escapes AM's knowing eyes if "All processes" is selected.
"The battery recently failed (exploded), so there is no battery installed"
That drops the processor speed dramatically. Although the drop-back is not stated in Apple docs, smart people around here say it's to either 1Ghz or 1/2 rated speed, whichever is faster. Reference article here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2332
And thank you for your service to our country, sir.

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