In the final analysis, veterans of all kinds can be congratulated, because what they did is somewhat nebulous. Snipers, on the other hand, kill. No bones about it.
Psychologically, the difference is great, though hypocritical. An A-10 or bomber pilot might have racked up a hundred times as many enemy killed, but there is a psychological gap there. Likewise, a field artilleryman might splash any number of bad guys without a psychological hitch.
But a sniper put a bullet in an enemy fighter. That is very easy for the mind to grasp. And it is unfortunate, but it is a fact of life that there is prejudice against snipers because of it.
I read his book, and enjoyed it.
He had a lot of problems with his home life, but in a war, this is ABSOLUTELY the guy you want defending your country.
Pilots, even drone pilots, can have psychological hitches.