like i said in the post above, according to what i was told, as of right now all classes are open to all players regardless of rank. of course a higher ranked player will have first dibs for choosing class when they join a server. although it's my understanding from Alan that they are still considering putting a minimum rank requirement to select "elite" classes.
the way Alan put it, the difference between the "elite" and the regular class is that choosing "elite" will give the player a choice of weapons to select from, whereas the regular class will have just one choice (standard weapon).
example.....
axis:
Rifleman - k98
Elite Rifleman - k98 or g41
Assault - mp40
Elite Assault - mp40 or mp41
allies:
Rifleman - mn91/30
Elite Rifleman - mn91/30 or svt40
Assault - ppsh41
Elite Assault - ppsh41 or ppsh43 or ppd40 (again assumptions on weapons)
i SHOULD have asked about the mkb42 and the AVT40 but i forgot

......what i'm guessing is that those weapons will only be available for heroes who select "elite" classes.