SOLDIER 2nd class? Or 1st class with other colors?

2nd class, indeed.

His sword looks much more believable than Cloud Strife's (not a fan of giant unwieldy swords).

Most SOLDIER members are given that exact sword. Its only 1st class that get to choose their weapon, normally. And by that time they usually have enough magical power and strength [and infuzed with enough mako] to wield busterblades and masamune's.
For the first half of crisis core, Zack uses that standard sword too. [cloud is just a grunt at the time and has a basic machine gun. lol He was also weak as piss and could barely use even that without falling over, let alone a busterblade.]

Personally though, as long as they explain away the fact that the wielder isn't a normal human, I'm not too concerned by ridiculous weapons, myself. lol

came out good scorp, your skill has leveled up XD

Awesome. :D

no , definetely first class !

Huh, design is similar to a SOLDIER 2nd I myself created. Mine's a chick, though. XD
Either way, that is a BEAUTIFUL piece! <3