jlytle1234, not meaning to sound rude, especially since this isn't even the team forum for the team I'm in, but I need to say a few things about your build.
Trying to make a skill build that's balanced for melee and ranged fighting isn't a bad idea, but you should really rethink some of those skills. Since you seem to want a balanced melee/range, you should just comletely do without shooting, you could really use those points elsewhere since that small amount would only add a little more to only shot damage. You should also think about getting more Ground Engagement and Mobile Suit skill (it's more than just a requirement for using suits), as they both help with accuracy. Also on that note, Beam Cartridge just adds to accuracy, could potentially drop that a bit specifically for Ground Engagement (since they both are accuracy skills and GE would further hit rate with melee). Also since it seems you want to do both, should probably lower ER (to about 100-110) and Defense some and possibly just do without Weapon Manipulation so you have more points for skills that will let you hit. This is spreading your points too thin and you barely have anything in two of the main skills that add to accuracy of any weapon.
Also as a note for Mobile Suit skill, it gives you a bonus to both hit and dodge, the higher your skill is above the requirement for the suit you're using, the bigger the bonus. So with only 40 in the skill, you won't get any bonus if you end up in a G-3 and barely any bonus to other Gundams.
I'm personally going for a build something along the lines of this:
AMBAC 130
Beam 70
CQB 90
Defense 30
ER 90
Ground Engagement 130
MS 130
Shell 70
Tactics 60
I'm still adjusting here and there, and as I get my skills closer to these levels, I'm sure I'll tweak it some more. I have a bit in Shell because I'm looking to use mainly Sniper II for mid-close range, and one of the best weapons the suit can use is a good EX machine gun. But using my build as an example, could take away the 70 Shell I have and put that in Defense and/or Tactics. This would be basically the same as what you have, but allow for a much higher hit rate with the higher GE and MS.
I have a philosophy with my character building that power doesn't mean anything if you can't hit anything. And your build you have here is majorly lacking the accuracy.
Btw, wouldn't let me fit Alexandria in the username so I put Alex, since I'm not registered on your team forum, not even my team ;x
Subject: Optimal Skillsets 
Thu Jul 07, 2011 11:49 am
