I figure in #16 when Hawk got shot in the back, the Joes had a fit! Duke never got shot up nor did he ever go toe-to-toe with an actual bad guy for most of Marvel's run (well, at least thru the Cobra War). Maybe that would make people more interested in following him with their hearts. And certainly in the early issues of AE, people weren't overly cool with him.

So you notice in the shot that SE & Scar are way off to the side with Stormy, the outcast in the way back. (the other SE and Scar are extras) You got Gung Ho, Roadblock and Shipwreck who are rather impartial and well what is needed. Don't ask why Beach Head is over near Hawk. It always seemed that both Hawk and Beachy were no-nonsense guys so they tend to be more of a threat than Duke alone. *shrug*