As Evangelical Christian missionaries, they serve something as well.
I'm a veteran but I would place service to God above service to country, and I think most veterans would agree.
Apples to Oranges comparison.
No, apples to apples comparison. Our military serving around the world to protect our country AND the citizens of those foreign countries are serving in much the same way as missionaries do.
Of course, the chain of command is different and missionaries have an impeccable Commander in Chief, whereas the military does not.
My point of view in this is that of a USMC Vietnam veteran and a missionary who has served in Africa (and contracted various tropical diseases serving in BOTH locations - no Ebola, thank God.).