You all act like it was impossible to unlock basic kit items in 2142
2142 gave you an unlock tree which you could then choose to commit to for a certain class. Sure you could spend unlocks unlocking 1 kit item at a time, or you could go down the list of a specific kits unlocks and get all of those before moving onto other kits. Hell I think Shock Paddles and Grenades are like the first two unlocks on the Assault list.
And I can't really see what the big deal is taking a few extra seconds to double check your kit, to make sure your set up for what your trying to accomplish.