Green-bereted soldier (Zanzibar Land)

A green-bereted soldier was a member of Zanzibar Land's military in the late 1990s. His distinctive headgear marked him out from the predominantly red-bereted soldiers.

During the 1999 Zanzibar Land Disturbance, the green-bereted soldier was tasked with patrolling the Lost Woods in Zanzibar Land, and guarding the confinement facility within. Ex-FOXHOUND agent Solid Snake tailed the soldier to locate the prison, where Czech biologist Kio Marv was believed to be held. Despite regularly checking his surroundings, the soldier was unable to spot Snake and eventually led him to the site of the facility.

Behind the scenes
After defeating the boss Kyle Schneider, a.k.a. Black Ninja, in Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, he tells Snake to "follow the man in the green beret" in order to locate Dr. Marv. If the player attempts to travel through the Lost Woods before fighting Schneider, they will be unable to advance due to trees blocking several portions of the path.

The green-bereted soldier is found in the northwest room of the Zanzibar Building's first floor, and must be followed out into the Lost Woods, while remaining out of sight. The soldier will occasionally pause and turn around, and will run away upon spotting Snake, forcing the player to begin again. The soldier eventually picks up speed, so the player must keep pace or risk losing the soldier after he enters the next screen. After the prison is located, the player is not required to follow the soldier again in order to navigate the woods. Although the player can kill the soldier, he will always respawn back in the Zanzibar Building.