G.I. is the name given to the Genetic Infantry in the Rogue Trooper universe. The name is a play on the original World War II G.I.
They were developed by Souther scientists in a bid to create a genetically modified supersoldier. Because of the widespread use of powerful NBC weapons, Nu-Earth had become toxic and conventional troops were weighed down by environmental suits. To overcome this the scientists create a soldier who was immune to virtually every known toxin and noxious agent known - the G.I. Rogue Trooper (and therefore presumably other G.I.s):-
We later discover that Friday had been cloned by a business for their own ends.
Genetic Infantrymen (also called "Gene Troopers") were designed for speed and endurance but not intelligence. They were designed as frontline assault troops that would be dropped into a warzone.
Genetic Infantrywomen had a range of uses. The G.I. Dolls were initially designed for covert ops (infiltration and assassination) but this angle was dropped after the Quartz Massacre in favour of bedroom duties, earning them nicknames like "General Issue Bed Warmers" and "Milli-Com R&R Units". Some, like Rafaelle Blue, took up other roles including fighter pilots.
As the G.I.s body was cloned it was considered expendable. Only the training and experience was thought useful and this was backed up on microchips inserted into the G.I.s' brains. These "dog tags" could then be retrieved from the battlefield and installed into a new body. Due to the betrayals at the Quartz Massacre, Rogue struck out on his own taking with him the tags of three dead comrades, who were installed in his kit to become Helm (on his helmet) Bagman (on his backpack), and Gunnar (on his rifle).