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Why is it that, it seems to me the more skilled you get in any given army, the more close combat oriented you are?
Let's look at some basics:
Space marines. 4's across the board, 1 attack.
Space Marine sergeant: same stats, 2 attacks.
So he's exactly the same, except he's better at fighting?
Look at their HQ options.
Captain, Chapter Master, Chaplain, all CC oriented.
Librarian does psychic powers.
Master of the forge is shooty (and he is generally considered to not be the best HQ choice)

This even goes for imperial guard.
Their HQ choices are equipped with laspistols and CC weapons.
Same with commissars. (well... bolt pistols)
Same with platoon commanders, sergeants, and veteran sergeants.

Even the Tau do it!
Compare Shas'Os and Shas'els
Shas'O gets +1 WS, +1BS, +1W, and +1A
Only one of those is a real advantage for the Tau! (the wound, as shas'els can take targeting arrays)

Couldn't guardsmen sergeants be equipped with, like, a longlas, or a hellgun?
Couldn't SM sergeants be 2 wounds instead of 2 attacks?
Couldn't even the Tau, the worst CC army ever, just give their Shas'Os more weapon options, or eternal warrior, or something?

I'm not exactly sure what you were writing...

But if you were asking a question, people get more close combat oriented as they learn more because 40k is close combat centric.

He meant "you" not so much in the general "you" (meaning us), but as an example of a person.

To answer your statement, because squad commanders being good is CC is dramatic. As far as game function goes, unless your squad is enough of a generalist that the rest of the squad can pull its weight, it is irrelevant.

The extra CC is for extra hugs when the troops do a good job.

I have not found myself looking for more close combat with my Sisters. If anything, as I played more, I found myself getting into less close combats. I am sure it is the same with Tau players.

He's describing Statlines, Elric, not your player skill.

I think OP was refering to the fluff / way codex set up the wargears , not actually player's mentality.

I think it's because GW enjoys the thought of the hero valiantly leading the charge into the enemy's trenches, rather than sitting back and coordinating long-range fire.

You can see a slight buck in this trend with the new Orders system for IG.

I guess captains spend their spare time fencing rather than studying books on tactics.

Given the enormous bloodbaths that inevitably ensue in 40K I guess that makes sense.

LOL Tau in CC??? Dear god would that be a slaughter. Tho I have to agree GW is going more towards CC in most cases. Then again, them not play testing anything, also brought a rise in ORKS!!!!! out shooting... well everybody lol

I reworded my post to get rid of the confusion.

"Drive closer! I want to hit them with my sword!" - any 40k tank commander, ever.

I think it's because the Captain, general, orkboss, etc. will only really start fighting when the situation is life-threatening to themselves. Otherwise they're ordering troops around, yelling about who to flank or where to shoot that they can't really concentrate on firing themselves.

I kind of agree with the points made. I personally enjoy playing long range armies. I think it would be an interesting twist to have the option of a more ranged Sgt/Leader/etc. if possible while sacrificing the extra attack or close combat weapon for something more ranged-centric. Maybe having a Guard Platoon Commander being able to carry a melta gun or space marine Captain with a heavy bolter.