No, this isn't one of those "who's better" debates. I'm just expressing my opinion. 
I've heard so many people pairing Cloud and Squall together when comparing the other characters in the FF series. E.g. "He's nothing like Cloud and Squall."
But I have to come out and say that Cloud and Squall are polar opposites. Given the chance that they were both in the same situation at the same time, I really do have to say that they would both come up with totally different resolutions for their problems.
First of all let's look at this aspect: ShinRa vs Garden.
The ShinRa army shares more of a likenesses to the Marine Corps. ShinRa soldiers are trained to maintain composure, to think rationally, to follow orders, and also to follow the best methods necissary in order to complete their tasks. They are efficient, yet cautious, and are trained with leadership qualities. It also seems as though...when solitary, they always take it upon themselves to resume a position of leadership...such as Cloud did with Avalanche, and such as Zack did at the Mako Reactor. Note that the ShinRa army holds specialized classes. Garden does not.
Garden merely trains SeeDs to kill sorceresses. IMO the Garden bares more likeness to the army. E.g. hiring on rambunctious teenagers to get the job done when it needs to be done. SeeDs aren't legitimately trained to have efficient leadership qualities. They're sent on various missions with simple one-task orders such as: Kill this person, compromise this problem, escort this person here...etc. SeeDs are NOT trained to maintain composure, merely to get the job done asap.
Now when comparing Cloud to Squall, I have to say that Cloud is 100% more efficient as a group leader. (Take into consideration that FFVII was horribly translated of course, and that it's easy to misconcept his words.)
In terms of heroine/female accomplices.
Cloud's objective throughout the first half of the game did not include ensuring Aerith's safety. If you recall...you'll remember that Cloud even tried leaving Aerith behind in the Slums in order to continue his misson. Note...Cloud ensures that his mission is his number one priority.
During the second half of the game, following the point in which Aerith leaves the party in order to summon Holy, Cloud begins to realize his feelings for her. Note...He's only just beginning to realize his feelings. Cloud does not go on a rambunctious killing spree in order to rescue the girl he loves.
Shortly after, Cloud begins to hunt down Sephiroth in the sleeping forest. He does not KNOW that Aerith is actually there. He only dreamt that he spoke to her inside the forest. Upon finding Aerith and seeing her slaughtered by Sephiroth, Cloud wastes no time wallowing in misery. He buries her in the lakebed, and resumes his hunt for Sephiroth.
Squalls objective in the first half of the game was to ensure Rinoa's safety. But if you recall, he completely dispised the task at hand. Squall was annoyed by Rinoa, and disrespected her even though his orders were to accompany her. Note...Squall has no composure.
During the second half of the game, Rinoa informs Squall that she is in fact a sorceress. Note that Squall couldn't give a shit less. Upon realizing this information, he merely thought to himself..."So she is a sorceress..." Immediately following this conjecture, they begin a rapid cuddling session on board the Ragnarok. Note...where in the hell did these feelings come from??
Following this random expression of emotion, Rinoa is taken into custody by Esthar officials, and sealed in the sorceress' memorial. While on board the Ragnarok, Squall experiences a series of thoughts in which he tries to vindicate whether or not he should be chasing the girl he loves. Note...Ultimecia is trying to destroy the world. Does Squall care? No.
Immediately after, Squall pursues Rinoa, all the while going on a rambunctious adventure OUT OF THE WAY of his main objective in order to break into the sorceress' memorial and rescue Rinoa, when just MOMENTS before, he allowed her to walk away. Note. Ultimecia is STILL trying to destroy the world. Does Squall care? Noooo.
Let's look at the facts:
Cloud maintains his composure in stressul situations, Squall does not.
Cloud is older, and a more experienced soldier, Squall has only been training for two years.
Cloud does not let his girlfriend get in the way of his primary objective, Squall goes out of his (and everyone elses) way in order to free a girl who's better off in confinement for the time being.
WHO'S THE BETTER CHARACTER!?????????
You tell me...
I've heard so many people pairing Cloud and Squall together when comparing the other characters in the FF series. E.g. "He's nothing like Cloud and Squall."
But I have to come out and say that Cloud and Squall are polar opposites. Given the chance that they were both in the same situation at the same time, I really do have to say that they would both come up with totally different resolutions for their problems.
First of all let's look at this aspect: ShinRa vs Garden.
The ShinRa army shares more of a likenesses to the Marine Corps. ShinRa soldiers are trained to maintain composure, to think rationally, to follow orders, and also to follow the best methods necissary in order to complete their tasks. They are efficient, yet cautious, and are trained with leadership qualities. It also seems as though...when solitary, they always take it upon themselves to resume a position of leadership...such as Cloud did with Avalanche, and such as Zack did at the Mako Reactor. Note that the ShinRa army holds specialized classes. Garden does not.
Garden merely trains SeeDs to kill sorceresses. IMO the Garden bares more likeness to the army. E.g. hiring on rambunctious teenagers to get the job done when it needs to be done. SeeDs aren't legitimately trained to have efficient leadership qualities. They're sent on various missions with simple one-task orders such as: Kill this person, compromise this problem, escort this person here...etc. SeeDs are NOT trained to maintain composure, merely to get the job done asap.
Now when comparing Cloud to Squall, I have to say that Cloud is 100% more efficient as a group leader. (Take into consideration that FFVII was horribly translated of course, and that it's easy to misconcept his words.)
In terms of heroine/female accomplices.
Cloud's objective throughout the first half of the game did not include ensuring Aerith's safety. If you recall...you'll remember that Cloud even tried leaving Aerith behind in the Slums in order to continue his misson. Note...Cloud ensures that his mission is his number one priority.
During the second half of the game, following the point in which Aerith leaves the party in order to summon Holy, Cloud begins to realize his feelings for her. Note...He's only just beginning to realize his feelings. Cloud does not go on a rambunctious killing spree in order to rescue the girl he loves.
Shortly after, Cloud begins to hunt down Sephiroth in the sleeping forest. He does not KNOW that Aerith is actually there. He only dreamt that he spoke to her inside the forest. Upon finding Aerith and seeing her slaughtered by Sephiroth, Cloud wastes no time wallowing in misery. He buries her in the lakebed, and resumes his hunt for Sephiroth.
Squalls objective in the first half of the game was to ensure Rinoa's safety. But if you recall, he completely dispised the task at hand. Squall was annoyed by Rinoa, and disrespected her even though his orders were to accompany her. Note...Squall has no composure.
During the second half of the game, Rinoa informs Squall that she is in fact a sorceress. Note that Squall couldn't give a shit less. Upon realizing this information, he merely thought to himself..."So she is a sorceress..." Immediately following this conjecture, they begin a rapid cuddling session on board the Ragnarok. Note...where in the hell did these feelings come from??
Following this random expression of emotion, Rinoa is taken into custody by Esthar officials, and sealed in the sorceress' memorial. While on board the Ragnarok, Squall experiences a series of thoughts in which he tries to vindicate whether or not he should be chasing the girl he loves. Note...Ultimecia is trying to destroy the world. Does Squall care? No.
Immediately after, Squall pursues Rinoa, all the while going on a rambunctious adventure OUT OF THE WAY of his main objective in order to break into the sorceress' memorial and rescue Rinoa, when just MOMENTS before, he allowed her to walk away. Note. Ultimecia is STILL trying to destroy the world. Does Squall care? Noooo.
Let's look at the facts:
Cloud maintains his composure in stressul situations, Squall does not.
Cloud is older, and a more experienced soldier, Squall has only been training for two years.
Cloud does not let his girlfriend get in the way of his primary objective, Squall goes out of his (and everyone elses) way in order to free a girl who's better off in confinement for the time being.
WHO'S THE BETTER CHARACTER!?????????
You tell me...