I disagree.
I like the ranking system now. It is so much more detailed now than in Socom 1, all be it harder to understand, but certainly better. Socom 1 was just based on time played. Now, it's based on your actual performance in the game.
I play with people that are Captains and Admirals, blah, blah, blah, so it's definately possible to achieve a respectable ranking. How could you possibly think otherwise?
You need to take into consideration that those that are in the top 1% probably play a good 40 hours a week. At least.