I agree with some of the statements you listed above.... I also think we should add in colored service tags like green or something that show up for members in your party so you can coordinate better.... I find it hard playing big team slayer with a group of 4 friends trying to figure out where they are I would rather want to know right away.
Also having in the matchmaking menu where it shows your spartan/emblem/level it would be cool to make the background of your box the entire thing your state flag.. so you can see what states people are from.