People today don't have the highest opinions (or knowledge) of PMCs. How do you think this has changed in the SR world?

Well, for one thing, Desert Wars.

Good ratings, and no civilians to abuse.

I agree with LivingOxymoron, that people seem to be getting the CAS confused with someone else. I've got to track it down but I seem to remember they had a fairly strong military, especially their navy. The tech might not be as good but I also remember they had numbers and training. They (and the PCC) have been keeping the Azzies at bay, so they can't be a bunch of Dueling Banjo playing hillbillies.

Don't forget the ever dangerous IUDs.......................

That was way too late coming, I apologize for my lateness on this topic.

IUD? An Intrauterine Device?

Well, if you have explosives in it, it's like a Cortex Bomb that can be removed. Painfully, but it can be removed.

With rank and specialization goes new gear. Take a look at the line officers for lone star, light augmentation for their jobs.
I would think reflex enhancement like wired reflex 1 and eyes and ears for front line combat troops as that low cost upgrade greatly improves combat effectiveness. This is more effective than inplanted body armor.
When you go up to marines and force recon solders add more specialized and expensive enhancements and skillwires support for specialized missions.

This War! book sounds interesting, would be very keen on it if it had the Mercenary and Former Tribal Warrior Archetypes in it. Like the look of the Attitude book as well.