Jacob: So, Heavy Weapons Operation is going to be a general skill?
Micheal Strife: Soldiers don't have Expert Marksmanship because they get even more Marksmanship from the header (or at least it looks that way. Marksmanship was a general skill at LE, and it looks like it'd be the same here, so taking Marksmanship from the Soldier header would stack with the general skill, yes?)
And the slow should be when the heavy weapon in question is on your person. Yeah it makes running away hard, but that's the price you pay for having a big stick.
Sniper rifles are also pretty darn heavy, and while they might not be quite as cumbersome as a rocket launcher, etc, their kick is pretty massive when compared to a handgun or many hunting rifles.
Lastly: If a Rappaccinian took Special Forces and then took the skill Up Close and Personal, along with the Rap~ required skill Tainted Love, and the Rap~ in question pulled their gloves off, would that mean their melee damage would be "1 damage and Agony by Poison" rather than an uncalled "1"?