A soon-to-be major MCU character was revealed to be a better soldier than Red Hulk, having been recruited by Steve Rogers himself. However, the war with the X-Men sees Ross grappling with his position on the team, using his other skills and military experience to do what others won't (including Captain America).
In 2012's Avengers #28 from Brian Michael Bendis and Walter Simonson, Ross evaluates his role in the Avengers beyond his ability to become a Hulk. While that's certainly the biggest thing he brings to the team, Thunderbolt notes that he has as much military experience as Captain America, if not more. Considering the Avengers' current war with the X-Men and the threat of the powerful Phoenix Five during this era, Red Hulk concludes that there are things he can do as a soldier that Captain America simply can't as a more prominent hero (despite Rogers' military background).
Red Hulk Outranks Captain America In Marvel Comics
Seeing as how Ross is a general while Rogers is only a captain, it makes sense that Red Hulk would have more military experience than Captain America, especially considering all the time Steve spent on ice. Likewise, the Red Hulk is indeed much colder and tactically minded, coming to the silent understanding with Cap that the best course of action would be to assassinate Cyclops, eliminating a key mutant leader while also taking out one of the Phoenix Five.
While Ross of course fails to kill Scott Summers' Cyclops, the mere fact that he was willing to do what Cap wouldn't proves he's more of a soldier than Rogers ever could be. Captain America is by all s a hero first, and there are certain lines he'll never cross that Ross has very little problem with. As such, it will be very interesting to see how far his MCU counterpart will go given the recent recasting with Harrison Ford as Ross for Thunderbolts. Considering the rumors that Ross will finally become the Red Hulk in the MCU, perhaps Marvel fans will soon see a similar soldier mindset on-screen.
Thunderbolt Ross is a dark hybrid of soldier and Hulk who's willing to make hard choices that would give other Avengers pause. This includes Captain America despite his Super-Soldier status in the Marvel Universe. As such, one could argue that the title is a better fit for the Red Hulk, an idea that will likely be just as valid when and if Harrison Ford's Ross similarly transforms in the MCU's near future.
