Lol same here. I stayed away from it for the longest time because I had heard it was for better players. I have to say that's not true at all. Getting every perk in the game after a 7 pointstreak, (if using hardline), is not difficult at all. It's a hell of a lot easier than getting the high Assault streaks.

     I'm more of a team guy but since I play Merc 100% of the time, sometimes it just makes sense to go with Specialist. I generally use it when TDM or KC confirmed come up in the rotation.

What people need to remember is that Specialist has it's place and time.  Meaning in games like HQ DEMO or Dom it is not your best bet.  Yeah, you can maybe get to unlock the 2nd perk or even to the "Promised Land" (all perks).  But at the same time you might not be helping your team out and it might cost you the match.  Now if you are running with a squad that will pick up the slack with support streaks and what not, then by all means, run specialist.

Hey, I wouldn't run a game of FFA w/o specialist and that pretty much goes the same for TDM And KC, where not dying is more important then getting kills (strange, I know most won't grasp this concept).  But objective games are different and need different considerations.

Also don't be disuaded by the XP, support streaks pay off just as much if you are smart about it and at the same time, you are helping your team.