Because you left out the word “DANGEROUS”.
I’m a former soldier, but now I’m a systems analyst.
I perform my job “competently” because I’m “disciplined” and ‘well-trained”.
That doesn’t make me a hero.
Now, if my network servers and my ERP system start shooting at the employees, maybe I’ll be come a hero.
She’s a hero because she risked her life for others.
I don’t think it diminishes the word one bit.
If you perform a DANGEROUS job, such as cobra venom milker, and you perform it competently and with mental discipline, then perforce we're all to call you a hero?
I know that's not exactly what you mean, but my point is that for reasons I don't understand, it seems very popular to credit superhuman motives (heroic motives) on those who voluntarily accept the dangerous conditions of certain jobs. Are these people brave? I would think so. Foolhardy? Maybe a little of that too. But if they perform their jobs as they were trained to, I thank God that we have them in our midst.