Why do most people call people in the army heroes? When most of them haven't performed a specific heroic act.

My opinion is that not everyone in the army is necessarily a hero. I know some who go there for the money. I don't think they're all altruists. I personally believe there is nothing heroic about holding a gun and firing, but standing unarmed between a loaded gun and some other person, now that's a lot more heroic. I've read about brave acts throughout history and many of them were about people who were not soldiers. Just because somebody joins the army doesn't mean they're a hero. They have no idea what real fighting is until they are actually sent to war. Of course i have to admit that the fact soldiers many times defend their country and their compatriots is brave by itself. And many of them are heroes. As for the Iraq world, shame on you USA politicians!!!! I call that imperialism!!!! (the soldiers and the civilians are not to blame of course).