Elites give them the title of HERO to troll them(us) actually. They don't really believe it. Elites actually believe that these people's lives are worthless...
Hell, we dont believe were heros. Ask military vets, especially those who were in combat roles/have seen combat, and i guarantee you 99% will tell you that youre crazy if you think theyre heros.
I get uncomfortable anytime someone makes a big deal about my service or pulls the 'thank you so much for defending us' line. I didnt do shit, i was trained to fight, and i didnt even deploy. I just did a job.
Were just dudes doing a job. A particularly dangerous, mentally and physically demanding job (with shit pay and killer benefits), but just another job nontheless.