UJM-I think you are confusing the issues. Your point about effort is true but only in regards to heavenly reward. Of course that is what will last for all eternity but that is a level that only G-D can judge and only G-D can reward. We have no way of becoming celestial accountants. Once we dip into that perhaps we should also give army exemptions to any Jew who will receive tremendous heavenly reward. What about someone who was raised secular and with superhuman strength becomes a shomer shabbos? Should his spiritual accomplishment translate into an army exemption?
We live in a world of reality where people need to work for a living and establish a functioning society. Like it or not, hishtadlus is still needed in all areas of life and society. As a society we need to come to an agreement on how we will function. I don’t think there is or ever was a single gadol that advocated for disbanding the army and said that no Jews should ever work for a living (including RaSHBI). There needs to be civil discourse and it is very possible that concessions will need to be made.