I can see the cost issue, but I don't see why you can't speak in a low voice. It shouldn't be audible to the sleepers unless you are playing in the same room and then the flickering light from the screen would be a bigger issue.

Or am I mising something?

I really like this idea. What if pressing R2 R3 as a non squad leader initiates a "requesting orders" input that functions as you said. If there are no orders you can request them. If the squad leader doesn't set new orders after a certain time, the first person to request orders gets to take on that responsibility.

There should be some sort of tutorial at the beginning that explains how to use squad commands, and the first couple times you're the squad leader, it notifies you.

Put in a "cycle squad leader" option in the chat menu. Any squad leader who doesn't input an order within a minute of the cycle button being hit is cycled out of the position and the next person in line is put in position. Put in a timer that pops up on the current leaders screen when the button is hit to signal to him that it's time to act or loose the position.

Also put in a "change order request" button, so we can signal to squad leaders that they need to change the target since it's either overrun and unobtainable or no longer needs to be defended, etc.

This will help alleviate a lot of the issues with squads who don't all have mics. I'm aware that a lot of you want everyone to have mics, but that's just not possible for some people. For instance most of the time I play it's night time and I have to be quiet since my wife and child are asleep, and some other people have similar issues. Also not everyone has spare money for a mic (many want to play this is because it's free and they have no money).

Additionally, allow squad leaders to place objectives on the pre-spawn map. This will allow squad leaders who keep getting spawn camped to still help the rest of the team, and allow them to set objectives at the beginning of the match before spawning in.

As for my initial issue here, the cycle squad leader option will let players who are tired of not having an active squad leader to have the chance to get one.

I can see the cost issue, but I don't see why you can't speak in a low voice. It shouldn't be audible to the sleepers unless you are playing in the same room and then the flickering light from the screen would be a bigger issue.

Or am I mising something?

Right now I am usually parted from my squad members and none of us care because there's nothing special about being a squad member. I do team work and mob around with other teammates but whether they are from my squad is irrelevant. I'd like to see bonuses that promote squad work. For example: A downed squad mate gets revived. The reviver would get a 10% bonus for helping the squad mate. Same goes for nanohives and what-nots. Members of a squad only vehicle (a vehicle loaded only by members of one squad) get a 10% bonus to the WP they receive in duration. Squad members would also recieve a bonus to the equipment. A nano-hive gives a fellow squad member more ammunition per pulse and a repair tool works faster on a squad member, etc.
To tie this in with squad leaders, an order given by the squad leaders that is completed gives everyone extra WP, thus promoting squad leaders to be active.

As Squad Leader, you can assign another player in your squad as Squad Leader.

As Squad Leader, you should be given notification that you're Squad Leader.

As NON-Squad Leader, you should be able to REQUEST LEADER POSITION through the Squad menu, and a highlight will appear for the Squad leader to check the Squad channel. Other squad members will be given no notification of this, but the Squad Leader will see an icon next to the player requesting the position, and when opening the menu for that player, will have "Promote Squad Leader" as the first option in the list.

This would encourage people who DON'T WANT TO BE LEADER to pass the job on to someone else. It would also encourage people who DO want the job to actively request it. It would also draw more attention to "hey, you're a squad leader. LEAD your squad!"

+1
I like these, but I still think there should be a way to oust inactive squad leaders from power, though there should be a warning, a timer, and time for the squad leader to start setting commands to keep his position.

I like the idea, but can see my squad getting mad at me when ever a tank or ds shows up because hunting them or getting plastered by them is what i find fun, so i'll end up taking off to do my av thing.

So either set a defend order on one of them, or let someone else take over?

That's what I do - usually I swap in someone else as a squad leader if I'm not sure I'll be able to run the job (wanting to derp around in my HAV, or playing while drunk/sleep deprived).