They already ARE something entirely different from grens, volks, and rifles though. Part of the reason why (in my opinion) people are underrating cons so much is because they treat them as if theyre the same and do direct comparisons.
You play 1v1 where you can avoid direct confrontation with an enemy because you can just cap the other fuel or ammo in 2v2 you are forced to attack the same fuel or muni so the direct confrontation is ineviteble if you want to have any resources at all. Also most 2v2 maps are wide open maps with cover spanning from mid to long range. So its blob friendly too and long range friendly. Very few maps actually support short to mid range gameplay.
Does anyone mention how much more capping power using a con build gives you than a grenadier build, or even a riflemen build?
You somehow forgot to mention OKW (your favorite faction) which has the biggest capping power in the whole game and con spam doesnt really impress OKW. Again you present 1v1 mentality. Capping power doesnt count in 2v2.
Cons have hidden/more subtle power in their ability to sprint, build green cover, and reinforce other squads with merge. Conscripts are a support/utility/map control unit and thats how theyre used at the top level (to decent effect). Cons may be slightly weak even in this role and even with this utility, so I really do think they need buffs, but I think that the buffs they need are much more minor than nearly everyone is asking for.
Support of what? Which early game soviet unit is so good that they can support it? OK lets say everyone is using cons bad and their true nature is to support and provide utility (whatever that mystical term means). Why on earth then soviets are the only faction that starts with two weak support units and no infantry? In comparison ost starts with 2 support units pios and mg where pios can shred cons for 200 mp if done correctly while mg42 is the best mg in the game and its utility is undeniable. I get the logic that its a support unit but shouldnt soviets have access to regular infantry at the start of the game.
And please try thinking out of your 1v1 mode. Because in other mods gameplay is different. In 1v1 its all about infantry spam and capping. All your fights are more like skirmishes of 1-2 units at most. Late game you have one or two bigger pushes and the game is over. Early game in 1v1 you get less direct action, you dont have to contest the same points. You can field at least 3 units before you even meet your enemy. But in 2v2 for example you are sometimes forced to contest a point with your very first unit. After that you get constantly pushed with 4-5 units. So if your main infantry sucks then you lose fast and your support weapons suck what do you have left? That one guard rifles squad you called in? Oh yeah now I remember you go penals and defensive doctrine ^^ Thats right why change anything its fine.