These are the stats for the soldiers.

Power: The firepower of the soldier at his maximum stats. Speed: The speed of the soldier at his maximum stats. Range: The range of the soldiers weapons destrucive power. ROF (Rate of Fire): How fast can the soldiers weapon shoot.
			Power: medium Speed: very good Range: very good ROF: good
	Rifle is the soldier you start with, and he is the most useful one. He is the fastest, he has the biggest range, and his weapon is powerful enough to take out most of the enemies. By the 3rd mission, you can get his power up to 9, and his speed to maximum. He is the most useful soldier in the game.
			Power: bad Speed: medium Range: good ROF: very good
	Burner joins you at the first shelter, in the second mission. He has medium speed, low health, and bad firepower. He is useful against the divers at the 4th mission, but that's it. He is good for beginners, because of his high ROF and good range. But if you are an expert, then just use Rifle.
			Power: good Speed: bad Range: bad ROF: medium
	Launcher joins your party at the first shelter of the third mission. He is slow, and it takes too long to get him a useful firepower. And when you get him on a good level, you already have Laser with you. This, and his short range makes him the most useless character in the game in my opinion.
			Power: very good Speed: good Range: medium ROF: medium
	Laser joins you at the first shelter of the 4th mission. He is fast, and he carries a nice Laser cannon that will make short work out of any tank, or even the bosses. You can get his power into the maximum level right on the 4th mission. Just don't use him too much against the foot soldiers.
			Power: medium Speed: very bad Range: good ROF: bad
	He joins you at the last mission, in the first shelter, with two Mega Crash Bombs (every other soldier starts with 1). He is fun to play, but he is vulnerable until you find the bulletproof vest for him, and he is slow. He could be tuned up to level 3 in speed, but unless there are some incredebly hidden places in the last mission, he is stuck on level one. And you can't get his health to his maximum too.