It's not tougher being a soldier now than a Napoleonic era soldier.
Even a small flesh wound could kill a soldier two hundred years ago. No anti-biotics. No pain-killers. No anaesthetic. No surgery other than a bone saw and a blood crusted apron.
Atrocious food. Ruthless discipline including being flogged until your bones were open to the sky. Non-existant pay.
I think things have improved a little from that state of affairs.
A well defined enemy? Tell that to the French in 1809 during their Spanish campaign. I'll give you a hint, the word 'Guerilla' originates from that conflict. French troops raped and pillaged to their hearts content. So did the British after the siege and capture of Badajoz.
As for protests, slavery was still practised. Women were 2nd class citizens and there was no definition for 'crime against humanity'. It's taken protest and struggle to change that.
Don't denigrate modern soldiers by making silly claims.
