there is nothing hardcore about SOCOM... It is just more realistic, and rewards you if you play it in the same way you would do it if it was real... Anyone who likes FPS can like SOCOM.
In fact, I think SOCOM rewards newbies as well since maps are so well designed, there is no perfect place to be, everything can be approached from several directions, and quite often, when they notice you, players go around your back, instead of going directly towards you.
When someone mentions "hardcore", it sounds as if game is only for the experts and is inaccessible. Which is not true. SOCOM is easier to learn to play than Warhawk, because it plays like common sense.