A soldier does of course need their carbs, protein and calories. and no better way to have it then in a convenient cup with enough preservatives to mummify a Chihuahua.

More of a laser gun actually. Gauss weaponry are usually issued to experienced/elite soldier in most factions. though more technologically advanced factions can mass produce such weapons easier and are able to use them as standard issue weapons. Gauss weaponry have excellent accuracy and at defeating armour. but usually suffer low fire rates.
Lasers are very reliable and cheap to manufacture. decent against armour, perfect precision and almost no recoil. but can be diffused by smoke and resisted by armour with "anti-laser" glazing. so they are considered the weakest of the energy weapon classes. behind the Ionic/Particle weapons and the mighty Plasma weapons.

Of course Plasma weapons are complex and expensive weapons that only the more technologically advanced empires can tame. of course lower tech spacefaring empires can produce them but often have heat management problems and risks but still in use for just how powerful they are at ruining armour like no other energy weapon. such risks like the common uncontrolled searing heat venting, explosion from failed cooling like a boiler explosion or a rare but deadly uncontrolled fusion overcharge blast.

Hrmn...like to see this in colour.