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.