Avira- I disagree with you and my guess is that you have never met a chiloni soldier or discussed his/her challenges. My guess is that you probably also have no clue as to the the successes and failures of any secular Jew and how they compare to the average religious Jew. Granted that a secular has a greater challenge to overcome based on the life situation he/she was born born into. I believe only G-d knows how each Jew (and person) is to be measured based on how much they fight their yetzer hara. I am sure that you are familiar with the concept of tinok shnishba. However you determine that on a halachic basis is irrelevant. There is no question that in G-d’s eyes they are measured differently when it come to battling the YH than some born with a religious upbringing.
In terms of the intentions of the average chayal, my experience is that they are doing it in large part because they see it as a privilege to to protect their fellow Jews and the land of EY from our enemies who try to kill us every day. If you don’t believe me, any any secular Israeli who served. If you ask a Dati Leumi Israeli who served you will certainly find a higher level of lishmah.