As a soldier I would have the proficiencies for basic and advanced melee weapons, small arms, longarms, heavy weapons, snipers, grenades, light armor and heavy armor. Does the class based proficiency count as bonus feats? If so, then would the soldier begin with nine combat feats? Or would these starting proficiencies be something else entirely.
I'm new to the pathfinder/ starfinder rpg system so I apologize if this question seems silly.
They are only feats if they state that they are feats. The soldier gets bonus combat feats at every even numbered level, for example.
For the purposes of prerequisites, proficiencies do not count as feats unless you use a feat to buy them.
A standard soldier starts with one feat. A human or ryphorian soldier starts with two feats because of the racial bonus.