What rank is Soarin'?

[Forlong 1,726]

 

We all assumed that Soain' is second in command of the Wonderbolts.  This would make him a Lieutenant, unless DHX wants to screw up military rank completely.  However, I don't think he's that high ranking, just well known.  Look at how Spitfire and especially Fleetfoot treat him in Rainbow Falls.  Fleetfoot didn't hesitate to chuck him straight under the bus.  Big Mac is too good for her.  The only reason I can see him taking their crap is if they outrank him.

[Scootalove 10,689]

I think Soarin is a Lieutenant, I know how he was treated in Rainbow Falls but that was out of character.

[Fhaolan 4,484]

Soarin is often drawn with a line under his eyes, I've noticed. That normally indicates a pony that is somewhat older. As such, Soarin may be a pony who's remained in his rank for a unusually long time. In my experience people who do that do get a bit of flak, as the military has a very natural competitive culture.

[Nine 707]

Lieutenants are the bitches of the officer ranks actually.

I've also always thought of the wonderbolts as a civilian academy with a militar-esque style anyway.

[Shanks 10,816]

Rainbow Falls is so ridiculously out of character I just can't use that as an example unless I am talking about out of character moments of course, Soarin is at least a Lieutenant so even if he is a big goof he didn't get that far by being as incompetent as he was portrayed in that god awful episode. 

[Nature's Spell 526]

The Wonderbolts are odd. Are they military like the Royal Guard or Paramilitary? They seem to be similar to the Thunderbirds or Blue Angels; a special duty display team that's part of a bigger military organization. Yet we've seen no signs of them having other duties. The Royal Guard have their own non Wonderbolt Pegasus. What is their real role? I'm still unclear. I would agree that he might be a lieutenant.

Edited April 6, 2014 by Nature's Spell

[Fhaolan 4,484]

The Wonderbolts are odd. Are they military like the Royal Guard or Paramilitary? They seem to be similar to the Thunderbirds or Blue Angels; a special duty display team that's part of a bigger military organization. Yet we've seen no signs of them having other duties. The Royal Guard have their own non Wonderbolt Pegasus. What is their real role? I'm still unclear. I would agree that he might be a lieutenant.

This last episode seemed to indicate that the Wonderbolts were created when the three tribes formed military units in response to the original Nightmare Moon incident. It was implied that the Wonderbolts were still part of the military, but given the thousand years having passed........ Actually, that's a point. Given how vague the history of that time has been up until now in the show, the exactness of who founded the Wonderbolts and the events thereof is a bit surprising. Huh. Didn't notice that before.

[Red Cedar 1,408]

I'm basing my answer entirely on this picture:

 

 

 

 

 

 

And on Canadian Forces ranks when I say that, based on the stripes on his epaulette, he's either a Major or a Lieutenant Colonel. This would explain the older ponies' line under his eyes as an indication of his age, because he's been serving a long time if he's reached that rank.

 

Spitfire, by comparison, doesn't have an epaulette that corresponds nicely to any armed forces I'm aware of, but given her position and the larger stripe on it I'd say Brigadier General.

Edited April 6, 2014 by Red Cedar

[Nature's Spell 526]

This last episode seemed to indicate that the Wonderbolts were created when the three tribes formed military units in response to the original Nightmare Moon incident. It was implied that the Wonderbolts were still part of the military, but given the thousand years having passed........ Actually, that's a point. Given how vague the history of that time has been up until now in the show, the exactness of who founded the Wonderbolts and the events thereof is a bit surprising. Huh. Didn't notice that before.

When I was writing my reply I was thinking about the new episode, but some times the more canon that is given the more confusing the topic becomes. I'd love more back story but we get used to not having much.

[CT-1138 3,182]

I still imagine Soarin as second in command within Captain Spitfire's squad.  

[ggg-2 3,553]

Soarin is often drawn with a line under his eyes, I've noticed. That normally indicates a pony that is somewhat older.

that or they're stress lines, as all that travelling can be extremely stressful. (it would also give spitfire an excuse for being such a little miss crankypants)

[NavelColt 22,881]

He may just be a regular Wonderbolt member, might be one of the Senior members who's been in this generation of Wonderbolts the longest, probably like Spitfire who's the Captain (which would assume she was a regular Wonderbolt before that), but I don't think there's enough real footing to say he's got a high rank. I don't care either way, but since everyone in here is fighting for him being a Lieutenant, I figure I'll play Devil's Advocate.

[Fhaolan 4,484]

that or they're stress lines, as all that travelling can be extremely stressful. (it would also give spitfire an excuse for being such a little miss crankypants)

Given how she's portrayed occasionally she may be the once *causing* the stress lines.

[Ianpiersonjdavis 513]

Well based on his popularity and that fact that he was the most prominent one at the Gala with Spitfire, I've always had the assumption that he was second in command.

 

And given the bags under his eyes he must be a senior member or at the very least have a stressful position for his rank.