[Rules] APC's in assault?

[Hugmenot]

While neither the APC nor the unloaded unit may assault in the turn the unit unloads, they (both) do defend if assaulted so there are not exactly sitting ducks. In other words, they cannot attack on the turn the unloading occurs but they can defend on the urn the unloading occurs.

Unloading in the adjacent hex is risky due to the +2 column modifier the unloaded unit will be subject to when the enemy fire in their activation. But consider the alternative. If the foot unit was unloaded farther away, it would eventually move to 2 hexes away from the enemy where it would be subject to Opportunity Fire (+1 column modifier) and then adjacent to the enemy where it would be subject to a second Opportunity Fire (+1 column modifier for Opportunity Fire, +2 for Adjacent).

In general, I will unload my APC before reaching the assault hex. But there are two cases where I may not.
1. If the enemy is already demoralized and would defend on the "1" or "3" column while the APC attacks on the "9" column or better. The risk of the APC suffering an adverse result is minimal and the demoralized defenders are at risk of suffering a step loss due to failing a morale check by 3 or more. And I may get if free shot if they activate and failed to recover and flee.
2. If the enemy is already engaged in assault and I do not want the loaded units to be vulnerable to Direct Fire from other enemies (the armor from the APC does provide good protection). The APC has the option of entering the assault hex quietly (i.e.. without triggering an assault), unloads next turn, and follow up with a big assault the turn after.

The APC may not assault the turn it unloads its passenger because it is focusing on unloading its transported unit safely (the APC's MG would provide suppressing fire in that regards), and not on attacking the enemy. That's my interpretation and ymmv.