SOLDIER

SOLDIER is the elite fighting force of Shinra Electric Power Company. 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.

SOLDIER is divided into three ranks from highest to lowest: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Class. Those determined strong enough to mentally and physically handle the program's process of being infused with mako and injected with Jenova's cells receive the treatment, gaining powerful increases in their physical and cognitive ability.

1st Class SOLDIERs have special privileges, as they are allowed to use personal items, clothing and equipment and are given the right to deny orders, assuming, of course, any responsibilities from their decisions.

Equipment
SOLDIER are equipped with a set of combat fatigues, composed of sleeveless turtle-neck sweaters and baggy pants coloured blue for Third Class, red for Second Class, and black for First Class, with leather accents that hold on their armor in place and their weapon when not in use. 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.

Techniques
Third Class SOLDIERs are armed with a flying sickle, which they employ in combat. They are also equipped with Sleep materia, and level 2 Thunder and Ice materia.

Second 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.

First 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.