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Huh, found this interesting.
>G.I. Joe vs. Cobra: The Essential Guide 1982-2008
>Introduced in 1986 as a replacement for the Cobra Soldiers, the Cobra Viper infantry soldiers complement the Cobra Soldiers in both the cartoon and comic series. The concept, originally introduced in 1985 with the introduction of "Tele-Vipers" (communication experts), quickly evolved into a catch-all suffix for all future Cobra troops (such as Air-Viper, Ice-Vipers, Desert-Vipers, Techno-Vipers, etc.). Hasbro has often alternated between establishing the Vipers as the entry-level position into Cobra's legion, or for them to be the elite of Cobra's ground troops, as far as them being equal to or above the regular soldier troops.
So from the word of god (at least in 2008)
1)"Viper" is not a rank, or position, just a catch all term like calling someone a"GIJoe"
2) It was created as a means to replace the 82 trooper, meaning they are to be interchangeable to each other
3) Hasbro has had no regulations for how well trained they are and it seems to just be where the muses took them.
