On the contrary it seems an apologia for doing one's military duty. Yes, he would accept his duty as if he were in the warrior caste, but he would transform the very nature of battle itself. One can't grasp the philosophy of nonviolence as Gandhi developed it without looking at this source. Of course, primary to Marx's thought was that social structures reflected the power of those who owned the means of production. That no man, though he sees others dying all around him, believes that he himself will die.
Death is a given.
At least for those of us who are atheists, there is no afterlife. Part of what makes nonviolence so powerful is its respect for the unique nature of every person. Not one of us has existed before, or will exist again. It is good to live, good to experience life, good to enjoy that experience, good to rejoice in the wonders of life. All the more urgent, if we are here but once, and briefly, to feel entitled to experience the delights.