Oh man, you just won the jackpot of all headcanons! I love blabbing about this, so uh, get ready?
If we're just looking at the info floating around in canon, he supposedly applied for SOLDIER first, but through some kind of means, he ended up with the Turks instead.
What I always imagine happened, taking into account his possible SOLDIER application, was that he applied on a whim, not actually thinking what he'd do if he made it in. Not to mention that I figure he was living in the lower plates of Midgar, which is not the most optimal place to make a life. Applying for SOLDIER was a possible way out of that kind of life. So, they bring him in for a first pass interview, and he passes okay. Training goes by without too much of a problem, because he's stubborn and refuses to be beaten by some exercises. His first field test with the rest of the grunts comes up, though, and that's where he fails miserably. Not because he didn't finish the exercise, but because he had a hard time following directions, and instead chose to do it another way.
This, naturally, upsets his superiors.
After the exercise, they try to get it through to him that he's supposed to follow them without question, but being the headstrong person he is, he argued with them, saying their decisions had been dumb and there was a more efficient way to do the exercise. Of course, this kind of talk would normally result in sending him packing, but I imagine Veld had been monitoring the recruits as a mandatory look out for possible Turk material. Naturally, he hears about this from the commanders and seeks out this brash redhead. Reno's already packing at this point, but Veld finds him and asks him about the whole situation, mostly to see what the fuss was about from his view.
It's after this conversation that Veld decides to put him through his own field test as a second chance. Reno agrees, after all, it's better to try that than to go back to the slums. During said field test, Veld gives him very vague instructions, which he'll have to work through to get to the solution. He passes this one with flying colors, and Veld offers him a position with the Turks. Reno does ask about the essential things, once the job is offered (pay, benefits, etc), but mostly just wants to know if he'll be able to fly a helicopter. Veld assures him that helicopter flying can be added to his training roster.
So, Reno signs his life onto the Turks and hasn't really looked back.
no subject
If we're just looking at the info floating around in canon, he supposedly applied for SOLDIER first, but through some kind of means, he ended up with the Turks instead.
What I always imagine happened, taking into account his possible SOLDIER application, was that he applied on a whim, not actually thinking what he'd do if he made it in. Not to mention that I figure he was living in the lower plates of Midgar, which is not the most optimal place to make a life. Applying for SOLDIER was a possible way out of that kind of life. So, they bring him in for a first pass interview, and he passes okay. Training goes by without too much of a problem, because he's stubborn and refuses to be beaten by some exercises. His first field test with the rest of the grunts comes up, though, and that's where he fails miserably. Not because he didn't finish the exercise, but because he had a hard time following directions, and instead chose to do it another way.
This, naturally, upsets his superiors.
After the exercise, they try to get it through to him that he's supposed to follow them without question, but being the headstrong person he is, he argued with them, saying their decisions had been dumb and there was a more efficient way to do the exercise. Of course, this kind of talk would normally result in sending him packing, but I imagine Veld had been monitoring the recruits as a mandatory look out for possible Turk material. Naturally, he hears about this from the commanders and seeks out this brash redhead. Reno's already packing at this point, but Veld finds him and asks him about the whole situation, mostly to see what the fuss was about from his view.
It's after this conversation that Veld decides to put him through his own field test as a second chance. Reno agrees, after all, it's better to try that than to go back to the slums. During said field test, Veld gives him very vague instructions, which he'll have to work through to get to the solution. He passes this one with flying colors, and Veld offers him a position with the Turks. Reno does ask about the essential things, once the job is offered (pay, benefits, etc), but mostly just wants to know if he'll be able to fly a helicopter. Veld assures him that helicopter flying can be added to his training roster.
So, Reno signs his life onto the Turks and hasn't really looked back.