We’re talking hoya and floyah. While the physical soldier is the shaliach, the zechuyos are determined by the mitzvos and learning done. A gvir’s accountant gies out a lots of tzedakah money checks. Without him the checks don’t go out. Is he an important person? yes. Is he as important as the gvir whose money he’s giving out? No.
The soldier is indeed saving lives, and we must have hakaras hativ to the soldiers. But someone learning gives the soldier spiritual ammo to succeed.