Don't forget that we live in 2084 year ;-)
I realize, that everything is spinning over financial priorities, BUT we should choose (if there are more than 8 soliders in base) those, who gonna defend the base e.g. in drop ship every assigned solider MUST go on a mission independently of his/her health. I think, we can use randomize mechanism to give some randomness within defending base. The heart of it should check the chance of each solider in mission. If he's wounded, the chance is lower, if he's asleep - lower, if he's woken up - the chance is higher.
This idea is related with individualized equipment of each solider. (@greever mentioned somewhere about it, or something mismatch in my head). Everyone know, what to take and smash or make a cheese from aliens.
P.S. Sorry for my English, I'm from Poland and still learning.