No, soldiers deserve respect.  Some go above and beyond the call of duty, and perform heroically.  Some do not.   For every solder on the battlefield, there are a lot behind him.  So yes, respect they all deserve.  It is not easy nor many of us are capable of just leaving whatever you do, whether it is a family, job or familiar in life to go on duty for six months or a year or more.
Respect.  Different than heroes.  But some soldiers... they deserve being called a hero.