a writes:

There is absolutely nothing ambiguous about this approach. Any rated
pilot, from 50 miles out at 6000 feet on V187 would not be happy to
hear center say "Cleared ILS 26, report to the tower at the outer
marker inbound" but would know what to do. It would be the same thing
we would do had we lost radio communication and our last clearance was
to that airport. Have you any clue as to why we would not be happy to
get that clearance?

What would YOU do? And provide references.

From what I've learned thus far (not here, alas!), I would proceed at my
altitude of 6000 feet to AST, and turn from there towards the PEN NDB, one of
the three IAFs for the approach. After crossing PEN, I would descent to 4300
while making a procedure turn to intercept the ILS localizer. I would then
follow the published lateral and vertical profile until I was fully
established.

I'm not sure why this would make me unhappy.