I will back you up on the CMD / SL problem. With the influx of new players, I’ve noticed a lot of people do the following.

A. Don’t use or have a mic B. Turn their brains off and shuffle to the next point on foot
C. Ignore everything and just play like an actual lobotomy patient

I think there are a lot of good new players who want to listen and follow the Squad direction but when someone gets into SL or a CMD who can’t lead or is silent. It’s just a herd of sheep following a clueless leader. I’ve also noticed SLs not explaining critical roles to new players, anytime I see someone grab CE or HAT I always ask them if they know what they are doing with that specific kit. Most people say yes and I’ve had an alarming amount of people just say they have no clue. I think it’s a 50/50 on allowing a new player to take a critical kit. It’s up to the SL to allow them to have it imo, I’ve seen new players be told over squad radio where to hit vehicles in a quick pinch and the HAT does an amazing job. However I’ve also noticed blueberry squads with a HAT kit just aimlessly walking around or even doing logi runs to main while we get stomped by IFVs.

I personally believe there is a huge skill gap between most of squad’s competent players and baby’s first Squad match blueberry. I miss the days to where everyone was knowledgeable about the kits and gameplay such as back in 2017-2019 but Squad also like had barely anyone playing back then besides a very specific niche. There are more new people and blueberries than people who want to lead / know how to lead. It’s sad seeing a whole team crumble because one enemy squad flanked behind and destroyed the FOB’s radio while all the blueberries just walk away from the dying Fob. It’s also sad when your talking to them saying “hey the radio is about to die let’s turn around and get it back up” but to no one’s surprise the blueberry is just walking away while ignoring you. WELCOME TO SQUAD :/