just my .2:
you can buy partial squads now.
one thing you can do if you don't like the shooting part is:
to pump up intelligence and command,
to hore as much as you can immediately,
split and balance your men across two squads,
take a quest to kill 4 bandit groups,
then pick on the smaller enemy groups.
in combat then on the map you get a red arrow from where the enemy spawn pointing toward it goes.
place one squad in front of the arrow, cautious. another squad far on the side of the arrow direction, in charge mode.
once the blocking squad has first contact, move the second squad from the side. once both squad are in contact set them to auto combat. it's important that squad form at least a 90 degree angle from each other to the enemy, as to force them to split firepower. once they're set, move in boulder to boulder and pick the enemy that relocate standing which are easier to shoot at.
you gonna get some casualty, but it's fine.
pump up medic and first aid with the next levels.
once you get 4 of the smaller 8 to 12 bandit groups you get a lot of money. get yourself a helmet and a mps7.
as squaddie level up, move the stronger into the team you use to cut the enemy, leave recruits at the flanks. this will ensure better survivability
make sure to upgrade the leader of each squad, those are at the front usually and could use some health upgrades.
> I'm a pretty terrible shot
not your fault really, the game has a pretty terrible fov, at combat range enemies are literally a handful of pixels:
https://streamable.com/svfuvbut remember to spend your weapon points!