I agree with your Erika. Every large cross section of society has their good guys and their bad guys. Many join the service-thank you baby Jesus-because they are "called"-similar I believe to a religious calling. Others join to escape poverty, job opportunity, a thrill-or a myriad of other reasons-just like every other job opportunity.
My oldest son graduated high school last spring. We've heard all the recruitment calls. What was preached in the majority of them? Job opportunity, money for college, specialized training, the ablility to 'see the world'.
Fictional heros are just that-fictional.