For me science fiction (or fantasy) opens up the possibility of using crazy weapons -strange, absurd, colourful and creative. The SF core rulebook in combination with armory offers a very large arsenal of cool firearms, many of which are original and interesting, without being game breaking.
So when I want to focus on shooting these interesting guns I look for a class that helps me do that. There is one class, with one specialization, that helps me do that: soldier.
I bought COM for the new classes, but was happy to see it also has many new option for existing races and classes. However, NONE of the new soldier options add anything new for ranged focussed soldiers. I need to know why? Anyone know why the archetypical science fiction gunner-trooper concept gets nothing to bolster its potential or provide any alternatives to an already very limited range of options?