There are _many_ individuals of the military that have put their lives on the line and some unfortunately had it taken from them. Some have done heroic acts that have not been revealed and others that just haven't been recognized. Just because you disagree with why they were put there doesn't make their actions any less admirable.
Bradley Manning put his life on the line and has essentially lost it also.
He joined the military, saw that his organization was acting in a manner that was morally reprehensible and then did something about it. Of course, the same system replied in a manner that's just as morally reprehensible as Manning demonstrated.
The danger of rationalizing evil through the old truisms of "Patriotism, Security, Etc" is that it can corrupt those that rationalize it instead of saying, "This has to stop."
Going above and beyond is part of duty. I'd like to see more of it. Nothing will change until then.
> What are you doing today?
Working to pay taxes so the salaries of public employees and military personnel can be paid.