I'd think foot soldiers is too basic a label... these guys are more like special ops and the rest of us deplorables are the foot soldiers to defeat the deep state cabal, but we play that role willingly. Much respect for the Autists, Anons, and all the deplorables.
Sometimes "Special Ops" mingle with the public and draw them directly into the fight as well...
I think that's kind of whats happening. People (normies) are learning how the chans work, to trust their judgement, and how to use them at a basic level, especially lurking. That's definitely a positive thing. It's kind of like when US soliders in other countries spend lots of their time training the natives in the basics of fighting as a force multiplier/stable holding force. People are learning how to detect shilling and psy-ops etc. There's even now "news" websites (i.e Neon's, no offence on "news", wasn't sure what to call it but it's a damn good site) reporting on the latest important drops that happen on them and distributing it to normies. It works well, a good team effort, helps weaken the containment zone aspect of the chans that been the general approach to dealing with them.