SOLDIER

SOLDIER is the elite fighting force of Shinra Electric Power Company in Final Fantasy VII. They are advanced super-soldiers with superhuman strength, speed, and agility. Much stronger than the Shinra Peacekeeping Troops and the Turks, Shinra uses them for special missions that require the greatest use of strength.

Overview
SOLDIER members are divided in three classes: 1st Class, 2nd Class, and 3rd Class. 1st Class SOLDIERs are responsible for the most important (and usually most dangerous) missions, 2nd and 3rd Classes mostly assist Shinra Troops or 1st Class SOLDIERs or are in charge of less important missions. New units are recruited as 3rd Class and the best of them are later promoted to 2nd Class, and only distinguished 2nd Class SOLDIERs reach 1st Class.

1st Class SOLDIERs are given special privileges, such as the use of personal items, clothing, and equipment, as well as the right to deny orders assuming any responsibilities from their decisions. According to the Crisis Core Complete Guide SOLDIERs in and of themselves are Shinra industrial secrets, and to prevent information from leaking outside company walls it is difficult for SOLDIER members to retire and even if they are allowed to leave Shinra, the company will monitor their subsequent actions. Even if people believe they have evaded surveillance, Shinra will follow them for the remainder of their lives, and, in a worst case scenario, the company will have them killed.

Children around the Planet dream of joining SOLDIER and becoming 1st Class like the hero, Sephiroth. SOLDIER operatives are recognizable by the "glow" their eyes take. To further increase the organization's popularity and for use as a propaganda tool, Shinra has created fan clubs for many of the 1st Class SOLDIERs.

Creation


Approximately 30 years before the beginning of Final Fantasy VII, the Jenova Project was initiated to produce a human-Cetra hybrid using the cells from Jenova (mistaken to be a Cetra) and Mako Energy from the Planet. The result of this experiment was Sephiroth, who, although not possessing the powers of the Cetra as originally intended, was a child with exceptional abilities. Shinra recognized the potential of such a powerful warrior and a method was planned to mass produce more fighters of his type.

Using similar processes, Shinra exposed promising warriors to raw Mako giving their eyes the unique "glow". Although still eclipsed by Sephiroth's strength and power, the new warriors, called SOLDIER, gained powers far beyond those of a normal combatant. They were sent on the more dangerous or important missions, had access to more equipment and information, and were higher ranked than other members of the army. These forces would be used to great effectiveness during the Wutai War.

AVALANCHE
During the battles with the first AVALANCHE in Before Crisis -Final Fantasy VII-, the data on SOLDIER operatives are stolen. Fuhito, expanding on the SOLDIER idea, creates his own brand of super soldiers, the Ravens. These forces are without will and are mere mindless killing machines. Using the SOLDIER data, AVALANCHE predicts SOLDIER movements and captures several members to transform into Ravens. SOLDIER never successfully defeated AVALANCHE, with most of the battles being fought by the Turks.

Mass Desertion
Headed by the SOLDIER Union Executive, Lazard Deusericus, at the time of Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-, SOLDIER acts from the Shinra Headquarters in Midgar, from floor 49, that contains a training room, briefing room, and lounge area for off-duty members. Materia Fusion is closely related to SOLDIER, as the room where Materia is made from crystallized MAKO Stones is also on the SOLDIER Floor.

Many 2nd and 3rd Class SOLDIERs disappear along with 1st class SOLDIER Genesis Rhapsodos. Shortly after the desertion Angeal Hewley, also product of the Jenova Project like Sephiroth and Genesis, leaves the organization. Angeal was the SOLDIER's emotional heart, acting as a mentor to the younger SOLDIERs and inspiring them to always hold on to their "SOLDIER honor". Once the two are gone, Zack Fair, Angeal's protégé, is promoted to 1st Class and takes up Angeal's role as heart of SOLDIER. Later Lazard defects to join with Genesis, causing great chaos across the Planet.

Zack and Sephiroth are sent to Nibelheim to fix the local Mako Reactor and during the mission a series of events result in Sephiroth denouncing his humanity and destroying the town. After Sephiroth defeats Zack, a young Shinra guard, Cloud Strife, defeats him. Professor Hojo takes Zack and Cloud as test subjects in the next round experiments in the Jenova Project. Though Zack later escapes, taking a Mako-poisoned Cloud with him, the Shinra army guns him down before he reaches his destination.

The Fall of SOLDIER
In Final Fantasy VII, while SOLDIER itself plays an important role in the story, actual members of SOLDIER are few and far between. This could be attributed to the loss of personnel after the mass desertion, the disappearance of the director of SOLDIER, and the loss of SOLDIER's four most prominent members. The appearances of SOLDIER members in the game are limited to enemies encountered during random encounters, 3rd Class members guarding the Shinra Science Department area on floors 68 and 69 of the Shinra Building, 2nd Class members stationed in Junon after Meteor is summoned, and 1st Class members guarding the Mako Cannon in Midgar.

Cloud claims to have been a member, but this is a false memory created by the psychological damage Hojo's experiments caused him, as well as the trauma he experienced from his hometown's destruction and the death of his friend, Zack. Even though Cloud was never a member of SOLDIER, he becomes strong enough in Final Fantasy VII to be mistaken for a 1st Class member. Due to the effects of the experiments Cloud's eyes have the "glow" that makes people believe he is a former member. After Shinra collapses SOLDIER seems to have fallen with it. However, during the events of Dirge of Cerberus -Final Fantasy VII-, Vincent Valentine encounters remnants of SOLDIER hiding out in the Shinra Mansion and the Midgar ruins.

Equipment
SOLDIER members are equipped with a set of combat fatigues colored to distinguish rank, though the highest ranking heroes of SOLDIER forgo this formality. The SOLDIER outfits are composed of sleeveless turtle-neck sweaters and baggy pants, with leather accents that hold on their armor in place and their weapon when not in use. In Final Fantasy VII they are colored blue for 3rd Class, red for 2nd Class, and purple for 1st Class. They also wear body armor on the chest, head, and shoulders, and wield wide two-handed swords, along with several types of Materia and extra weapons, depending on class. They also wear a belt with the logo as the buckle.

In Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-, SOLDIER members are given slightly different uniforms. 1st Class traditionally wears black uniforms (although Sephiroth does not follow this, and Genesis modifies his uniform by wearing a red coat over it), and do not wear the helmets other SOLDIER members wear. Unlike 2nd and 3rd Class, 1st Class SOLDIER members are given the privilege to choose whether or not to wear their own clothes instead of standard 1st Class uniforms. 2nd Class wears a purple uniform, and 3rd Class wears light blue uniforms. Their chest armor has disappeared, and the only torso-covering they have over their sleeveless turtle-necks is a leather belt-like wrapping with a new version of the SOLDIER logo embedded on the front that covers the lower stomach.

Zack Fair wears neither red nor purple but rather a dark blue, nor does he wear a helmet (most likely to distinguish him from other SOLDIER members). Another distinctive mark is the "SOLDIER Sword", a simple longsword with a curved guard with a small SOLDIER logo engraved in the middle. It is the default weapon for 3rd and 2nd Class members, but most known 1st Classes use their own swords.

Techniques
3rd Class SOLDIERs are armed with a flying sickle and are equipped with Sleepel Materia, and level 2 Bolt and Ice Materia.

2nd Class SOLDIERs use no Materia, but employ a technique known as the Sword of Doom, which combines a physical attack with a Braver-like move.

1st Class SOLDIERs also employ the Sword of Doom technique, and are equipped with Silence Materia.

It is likely that SOLDIER equipment also depends on the situation. According to Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- SOLDIER members acquire Materia on missions, and get new equipment from the company itself through a hatch on the SOLDIER Floor.

1st Class privileges informally include the use of personal equipment, the use of rationed supplies outside of missions, and the right to veto orders. This is most obviously shown with Sephiroth's choice of clothing and his use of the Masamune sword. 1st Class SOLDIER members also have the option of fusing their Materia to use more powerful magic and abilities.

Regardless of ranks, because of their treatment, genetic reinforcement, and Mako infusion, all SOLDIERs inherit the ability to access the use of gathered external Mako that accumulates into their bodies, which is shown in Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- to be responsible as a catalyst for Materia Fusion and unleashing Limit Breaks to higher levels. This power is measured in a statistic named a SOLDIER Point.

Final Fantasy VII and Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- present wildly different versions of how SOLDIER is organized and how they are equipped. It is possible that with the loss of a large amount of personnel, including their four most powerful members, Shinra has reorganized SOLDIER. The uniforms and standard equipment could have been changed, explaining the differences between the two games and the weaker and more abundant members could be that SOLDIER is now less of an elite operative based organization, and instead, is a larger force that serve as elite guards and shock troops. The lack of any notable SOLDIER members in Final Fantasy VII who still serve Shinra could be evidence of this.

Known Members

 * Sephiroth: Known as Shinra's greatest SOLDIER. Wields the Masamune with ease, moves incredibly fast, has unbelievable strength, and is put to only the most dangerous and important assignments. Abandons SOLDIER and Shinra when he discovers the experiments that created him.
 * Genesis Rhapsodos: A 1st Class SOLDIER who possesses combat abilities that rank on-par to Sephiroth's. Genesis greatly envies Sephiroth's fame and status as hero and wishes to become better than him. Abandons Shinra, taking with him many other SOLDIER members, who then create an army of "Genesis Copies". Wields the Rapier and uses powerful magic that can hinder even Sephiroth.
 * Angeal Hewley: A noble and honorable 1st Class SOLDIER, he puts his dreams and honor above all. He is best friends with Genesis and Sephiroth, and is forced to choose between his SOLDIER honor and his friendship with Genesis. Wields the Buster Sword as well as the classic SOLDIER broadsword.
 * Zack Fair: Angeal's dedicated follower and friend. Zack knows little at first of the dark secrets behind Shinra. At the start of Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- Zack is a 2nd Class SOLDIER member, but gets promoted to 1st early in the game. He obtains the Buster Sword from Angeal and is a subject to Hojo's experiments following the Nibelheim Incident.
 * Kunsel: A 2nd Class SOLDIER member who is best friends with Zack. He is a helpful source of information, and seems to know more than anyone about the workings of Shinra and the actions of other SOLDIER members.
 * Luxiere: A 2nd Class SOLDIER member who looks up to Zack as an idol, even suggesting that Zack should take over control of SOLDIER.
 * Nero the Sable and Weiss the Immaculate: The two brothers who show up at the end of Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- wearing 1st Class SOLDIER outfits, but despite Deepground being part of SOLDIER, it is unknown whether or not they are truly members, because their belts have a different symbol.
 * Essai and Sebastian: Two members of SOLDIER appearing only in Before Crisis -Final Fantasy VII-. Fuhito experiments on them, and they must be eliminated in-game with some help from Zack. A scene on the DMW in Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- for Tseng shows he and Zack walking up to a memorial for the two near Modeoheim; both their swords are stuck into the ground, crossing over each other.
 * Recall Missions 3rd Class SOLDIER: Zack first encounters him being berated by his superior and he considers leaving SOLDIER. With some support (and a lot of help) from Zack he finds his courage to stay and even rises in rank.
 * Spy-Hunting 2nd Class SOLDIER: This SOLDIER is spends most of his time in the streets of Midgar hunting for Wutai spies who seek to strike back against Shinra after the war has ended. He gains tips from an unknown source where to look for these spies, and shares the information with Zack who helps him capture them and rout their bases.
 * Restrictors: Four specially picked members of SOLDIER trained through the methods of Deepground, and comprise the confidential 14th Unit, Lost Force. Their roles were that of generals, to enact the orders of President Shinra and maintain rigid order amongst Deepground's inhabitants.
 * 13th Unit Ragnarok: Once was SOLDIER's most decorated and strongest forces, hailed as the strongest in the world. Finding out about the experiments and purpose of Deepground, they reacted in revulsion upon its discovery. Was wiped out in a single night by Lost Force.

Deepground
Deepground is a top-secret military and experimentation group begun as a medical division to attend to wounded SOLDIERs, and later became an experimentation ground for more extreme experiments involving the subjects of the Jenova Project. Located beneath Midgar in Sector 0, its existence is known only to President Shinra, as well as executives Scarlet, Heidegger, and Professor Hojo.

In contrast to the SOLDIER program, different Deepground soldiers are subjected to different experiments for their creation, rather than the set procedure that produces normal SOLDIER members. Their attire is different, bearing the original SOLDIER logo from Final Fantasy VII, even though in all subsequent pieces of the Compilation the Crisis Core SOLDIER logo is used. Why Deepground uses the original instead is unknown.

Development
Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Omega reveals details of the early ideas the development team had for SOLDIER. SOLDIER were originally intended as warriors bathed in Mako energy who could use magic. In the early drafts SOLDIER was used to suppress oppression against the construction of Mako Reactors. The Ultimania reveals the Planet's original history told of a war between two nations that dragged on due to the countries being equally strong, which was when SOLDIER was formed.

Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Omega sheds some light in the tough screening program for SOLDIER: selected from the army or civilian population, the candidates had to undergo many examinations. Finally, at the training facility, in addition to training the candidates were exposed to Mako energy and only a handful of them graduated to SOLDIER. Many became physically and mentally ill and dropped out, but this was dealt with in secret by disguising the loss in an extraordinary number of accidental deaths and suicides. Some people, though, managed to escape.

The SOLDIER operatives who were sent to the war were an elite few, and the guerrilla warfare shifted the advantage to the nation on Shinra's side. SOLDIER's activities were broadcast in detail and the people began to view SOLDIER as heroes. After the war SOLDIER turned towards "maintaining the peace", which included the suppression of rebel elements. At this time people viewed the government as good as worthless; they trusted only Shinra to protect them. This was how the government fell under Shinra's power.

Exposure to Mako energy had more visible symptoms in the early story drafts: Those bathed in Mako would gain superhuman strength, and their dormant "Jenova" element would become easier to awaken; however, as the energy would run out the subject would suffer various mental damage, such as rapid weakness, anxiety, fear, and loneliness. Shinra was well aware of Mako's addictiveness and that overexposure would turn people into monsters, yet the company would continue its practice to infuse SOLDIER members with Mako.

Many of these original ideas were not used in the game.

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII
Lightning can equip the SOLDIER 1st Class uniform in Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII as part of "Final Fantasy legacy" equippable garbs.

Final Fantasy Artniks
A member of SOLDIER appears as a character card.

Kingdom Hearts series
SOLDIER is alluded to through Cloud and Zack. Cloud's journal entry mentions him as a SOLDIER, and Zack features the SOLDIER logo on his sword and belt. The sword he wields is based on the sword he uses in Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- before he receives the Buster Sword, which is the standard issue weapon in SOLDIER.

Trivia

 * SOLDIER has only been seen with male operatives in the entirety of the Compilation. It is not known if SOLDIER in its entirety is male orientated or unisex in its ranks. However, Deepground, which began as a medical division of SOLDIER, has several female members. In Final Fantasy VII, Cloud and Aeris joke about the Turks pursuing her in order to recruit her for SOLDIER, but neither comments on if the group actually accepts females or not.
 * Pre-order downloadable content exists for Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII that includes protagonist Lightning being able to wear a SOLDIER uniform. This makes Lightning the only female to wear the uniform in any official media.
 * Although members of SOLDIER are shown to use swords, in Final Fantasy VII the SOLDIER enemies look as if they are wielding lances.
 * In Junon the player can talk to an old man in the top floor of a shop who remarks he used to be in SOLDIER. It is unknown what rank or member he was, but later in the game he starts to wear a cape, similar to Sephiroth Clones, stating that he got a sudden urge dress that way.
 * The concept of SOLDIER holds slight similarity to the Magitek Knights of Final Fantasy VI: both require candidates to have genetic infusions (Mako for SOLDIER and Magitek for the Magitek Knights) that will enhance their capabilities in combat and the main protagonists are initially believed to be of their ranks.