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Alright this has come up not only in my gaming group, but now I see this in a Battle Report on Dakka. I really need the communities help on this ruling to see which way it goes.

In the Red Scorpion IA, it indicates that you can take "Any tactical squad sergeant or veteran sergeant with the chapter tactics (Red Scorpions) rule.." (that is verbatim) and turn them into an apothecary. Now, the camp of thought that I am in is that this only refers to TACTICAL SQUADS - whether it is a Squad Sergeant or a Veteran sergeant - however, others seem to think that this rule applies to any character who has the name "Veteran sergeant" in it.

For example - someone from my line of thought would say that because the book SPECIFICALLY states Tactical squads or Veteran Sergeants from WITHIN the tactical squad, then obviously it only refers to that. However, someone else can say that because a "Biker Veteran Sergeant" contains the words of "veteran sergeant," then that bike squad can apply the rule of the red scorpion chapter tactics and upgrade to an apothecary.

So, fellow Dakkites - which one is it? Does "Any tactical squad sergeant or veteran sergeant with the chapter tactics (Red Scorpions) rule.." refer only to tactical squads, or all veteran sergeant names in the space marine codex.

GW is a big-time user of the Oxford comma in their rules, so the lack of one in this sentence strongly implies that it is only Veteran Sergeants who are part of a tactical squad get access to the upgrade.

You can't separate the first half of the clause from the second half. You could argue intent that they mean to separate the two terms, but the use of the word "with" means quite simply that this is not what they intended. Is it potentially ambiguous? Yes, but to me it could not be clearer what is meant by that phrase. Nowhere does it specify that ANY veteran sergeant can take this upgrade. On the contrary, it specifically mentions tactical squads. To assume any more is hoping for a nonexistent loophole

Yeah, it's tactical squads only.

Tactical squad sergeants and [tactical squad] veteran sergeants. The second identifier is implied.

 Jimsolo wrote:
Tactical squad sergeants and [tactical squad] veteran sergeants. The second identifier is implied.

As always, RAW is unclear.
We can assume they mean only tactical sergeants. Tactical sergeants of the both the regular and veteran varieties.
We can also assume that they meant any veteran sergeant of any squad. And on top of that, plus the regular tactical sergeants, since tacticals are awesome having been scouts, devastators and assault marines before graduating to tactical squads.

Tourneys do as tourney's will. Ask, prepare to be ignored and then prepare to not get it when you show up anyway and have an opponent with a stricter view than yours. eel free to strictly interpret against him the same way though.

I took the liberty to ring forge world yesterday and was told (by Andy) that the RAW were ambiguous but their official edict (RAI) was only tactical squad veteran sergeants could receive the upgrade.