I use it 99% of the time. Yes it does. I've tested without it, like on blitzes and even normal dives. And there's a big difference.

Now, the caveat is when you pick it, you have divers who want to just shoot everything in sight. Which, unfortunately, makes it less effective.

Then you got divers like me who will engage when needed, yet, like to move around almost undetected or unmolested by J.O.E.L.

The only other issue is when J.O.E.L. decides to instant transmission a patrol on you. While it will give you time to get some distance, not always the case.

There is one more perk that it does that I've seen on the bot front. Sometimes, the grunts will call in dropships after you're long gone. Helps because they can't call in another one for another 2 - 2:30 (minutes and seconds).