If crap optic then better learn well with iron than to risk junk only to have it fail when you need it most with no back up skills to cover the difference.
Along with rifle you will need the magazines for me preferable metal 20 per rifle. For m1a the ops rod and sprin, trigger job, second barrel ,sling, and gas tube spares. For me a sadlak optic mount is also a must. I like the dmr elcan spectre with the 1.5 to 6 flip magnification. The no glare optic cover. A fore grip with light and a black feather chassis. The folding stock is a big plus if it ever gets close quarter along with for grip.
Designator is a good tool if your team has and others do not but can become a crutch