Why doesn't Hardcore mode give me weapon mastery and progression?!

Are EA and DICE already killing the game after a few weeks in? Did they wait until the refund period was over and then just say, 'nah, let's stick to them' or what? The only reason I play this game is because of the Hardcore experience, but progression and mastery are also a big part of the Battlefield experience, and without them, it's pointless.

REALLLLLY concerned about this development. Punishing the community and killing the game experience for the 90%, only because you don't know how to combat the 10% who make up XP farmers and other exploiters.