Do you think Kaidan also went through N training at some point? I've seen fics where he's apparently gone through it, but couldn't find anything in canon about it.
Hi, anon! Ooh, a question. Fun! Thank you for thinking of me.
Do I think Kaidan is N-trained? In short, no.
There isn't evidence disproving that he's N trained, but there isn’t evidence suggesting he's N trained either. If anything, the lack of any indication he has N training is proof in itself.
For one, none of the characters associated with N training ever include Kaidan as if he’s a member. James goes to Shepard with his N questions. He never mentions or refers to Kaidan's experience. Neither Anderson nor Shepard mention Kaidan being N trained.
It's not mentioned in his background anywhere. It's said he has over a dozen special commendations. He does get involved in special operations, even leading the first Special Operation Biotic Company, but this doesn't require an N designation. Unless he failed out before qualifying as a N1, it seems like something that would be included in his history.
In ME1, he specifically says he’s been holding back up to this point in using his biotics offensively. Jenkins is the first soldier he’s lost to hostile action. None of these suggest to me someone who’s undergone rigorous N spec ops training, where holding back would probably limit being accepted. Some N operatives may not have seen someone die due to hostile action, but it’s at least more likely with a N trained operative than a general marine. It seems like Kaidan is still coming into his own in biotic combat in ME1.
If anything, I wonder if health concerns over his L2 implant may not disqualify him. N operatives frequently lead high-risk, high-priority missions either independently or in charge of a small groups. The whole mission hinges on that one person. Having a serious pre-existing health condition, especially one triggerable on the field (light, sound, stress, etc.), would be a serious concern.
While he may function well on a team or even in a leadership position commanding a unit, I think special forces may rely heavier on single-person performance under high-strain situations. Conditions on those high risk N missions maybe be more likely to trigger an attack than typical combat. Alone, disabled, and with the whole mission riding on him achieve a specific task, it could be disastrous.
Even if was accepted to apply, I don't know if he could pass N training with his health condition. If Wiki is correct, it says this about N1 training:
"If this is their first time at the school, trainees participate in scenarios experienced by the elite units of most land-based armies; a typical candidate may be in training more than 20 hours a day, leading small units into combat over hostile terrain with little sleep or food. Trainees who do well are awarded an internal designation of N1 and are invited to return."
While Kaidan is obviously a tough person, who's gone through basic and performs well as a marine on the field, I don't know if he could push himself to operate with 4 hours of sleep a day and hardly any food. My sister has terrible migraines, and she has to careful judge her sleep cycle and the timing of her meals. If she doesn't get enough sleep or oversleeps, she gets a migraine. If she misses a meal, she gets a migraine.
Obviously, Kaidan would face those issues while on the field as a general marine, but I don't think it would be to the same extent as here. If on the field in these conditions, a migraine could be dealt with, either supported by his team and medication. Or, if extreme, by evacuation. As a N candidate under these conditions, a bad migraine affecting his performance would simply disqualify him.
It also says about higher level N training:
"The highest grade of training, N6, provides actual combat experience in conflict zones throughout the galaxy. From day one, invitees are given basic gear, then separated and stranded on an asteroid with no nav data. The test ends when the last person runs out of oxygen. The first few are out of the program. If the trainee survives these scenarios in "admirable and effective fashion," they finally receive the coveted N7 designation."
I imagine every N operative enters training with the intention of becoming a N7. No one thinks, "Yeah, I'll join, but I only want to be a N4." Everyone is shooting for the top. In that case, if Kaidan wanted to become a N7, that means he'd be stranded alone on an asteroid and rationing oxygen. I think the hypoxia alone could be a huge trigger for a bad migraine.
Overall, I don't think there's any evidence to suggest Kaidan entered N training. Moreover, I suspect he may not qualify due to health concerns. If he did qualify, I don't know if he'd get pass the extreme conditions to get even a N1 designation.
Now that sounds like I'm looking down on Kaidan and what he can do having a migraine condition, but I'm really not. He obviously has found a way to function effectively as a marine. He assures Shepard he won't be a burden on the crew, if Shepard was worried. He received all those commendations and jumps up the ranks fast. He obviously functions well and deserves his position as a marine. But the military is strict with health limitations, and I think N training may be the point where the line is drawn. It’s just too risky for him and the mission.
I think what opportunities Kaidan lacks due to his L2 implant, he makes up for with his outstanding leadership skills, level-headed resourcefulness, and intuitiveness for politics and tact. Through ME1, he is frequently dissecting Council and Alliance motivation and power-plays. He’s open minded, fair, and progressive in the larger picture, long-term goals of the Alliance. He takes time considering all of the political players involved and giving the benefit of a doubt to aliens in their actions toward humanity.
To me, he makes an excellent candidate for Spectre for his political saavy in addition to his leadership skills, lack of racial bias, self-accountability, determination, and independent decision making. He thinks for himself beyond blindly accepting orders. He is willing to take those convictions to the level of breaking rules and confronting superiors. Those are important for a Spectre, and his moral self-accountability will ensure he has proper discernment in how he uses his powers. He obviously has good fighting skills and ability to lead on the field despite his health condition, because he jumps so many Alliance ranks. He learns to Reave and is teaching other spec op biotics. He’s very capable both on a political intellectual level and physically with skills and ability.
While he may not, in my opinion, match well with the rigors and high-intensity of N training, he’s an exceptional option for a high leadership positions within the Alliance and for promoting galactic interests as a Spectre.
