Originally posted by zacks_clone
I thought he was rejected from SOLDIER,and simply got the position of a lonely guard.
I don't think the game ever decisively said whether Cloud was rejected or never had the courage to apply, but judging from what we know about his personality at the time, I'd say the latter was more likely. He was certainly strong enough to throw Sephiroth down into the Lifestream in a one-on-one battle, and that's not exactly something you'd expect of a reject from SOLDIER.