Why are people in the military "automatically" called heroes when it is their job to go to war?

If someone is PAID to do their job, how can they be called a hero? On the contrary, their job function EXPECTS them to go to war,if necessary. Sure, some are killed while at war, but how does that automatically turn them into a hero? Like most other jobs, they will be compensated for the loss. Sure, their job is dangerous, but so are many other professions! Sure, they have to be away from home, but so do many other professions. Hero is something that should be reserved for the truly deserving. If you tell all the military personnel that they will no longer be PAID, guess how many would still be around? MOST of them are in it for the pay and benefits, especially during tough economic times. Does a hero expect to be PAID for performing a duty? Let's be honest. No offense to anyone in the military or their family, but if we start using this word too frequently, its meaning will soon be lost. For instance, toilet paper manufacturers can be called heros since, without them, there would be more cases of disease spreading. If one of the workers accidentally shredded his hands, then he would need to be automatically called a hero and awarded a medal since he "sacrificed" his hands for the greater cause of containing the spread of disease. The janitors at a pharmaceutical company are heros as well since they make it possible for the people who work there to have a clean environment to make medicine. Car mechanics are heros since they fix our cars, which enable us to go to work to produce the goods consumers need. The list is virtually endless. My point is: just call it like it is...they are merely employees of an industry who perform a necessary function, complete with pay, benefits, as well as hazards inherent to all jobs. True heroes do something totally spontaneous WITHOUT EVEN THINKING ABOUT HOW TO BE COMPENSATED. I'll give you an example: If someone saved a child from drowning, that is a hero. He isn't concerned about whether he will be compensated or recognized with some sort of award. He just did it BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT HEROES DO! As I said, I'm not trivializing the work of the people in the military or any other profession. I just want to clear up something that is obviously incorrect. What do you think? Please base your responses on fact and not emotion.