Nicky Scarfo was only a soldier before he was made a soldier. A consigliere will have his own things going on, and will be allowed a certain amount of the kick ups that the administration receives, it depends on the family and what investments one made with the family. In the smaller families, it was not uncommon for a soldier to become a consigliere due to close friendships or blood relations with the boss or underboss at the time.