I’m wondering what the theoretical differences are between soldiers implicated in imperialist conflicts (for natural resources, whatever) versus soldiers implicated in peacekeeping and/or solely national defense, such as Austria, Switzerland or Ireland.

This isn’t a “not all soldiers” post by the way, but is it considered there’s a distinction?

Given conditions under which soldiers are recruited in the United States and presumably others are predatory, how are individuals from say, the Austrian Bundesheer (conscript service) distinct from that of other nations and the conditions under which they’re recruited and so on.

Thanks and apologies for any lack of clarity.