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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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[[File:Youth Army Squad - Codex Eye of Terror Pg 17.jpg|thumb|right|(Bottom Left) A [[Cadian]] Youth Army squad fighting alongside standard Cadian troops. Note the white shoulder guards. (3rd edition){{Fn|5a}}]]
In the case of [[Cadian]] regiments, Whiteshields are instead members of their Cadia's Youth Armies.{{Fn|2}} They join the Youth Armies at the age of sixteen, however even prior to this all Cadians by that age are trained from childhood in the usage of weapons, hand to hand training, vehicle and chemical warfare drills.{{Fn|3}} They spend much of their time training in a [[Castellum]] in the wilderness, drilling under the supervision of [[Cadian Shock Troopers]] and fighting mock battles with other youth armies. This prepares them adequately to eneventually eventually join the Shock Troops.{{Fn|5b}}{{Fn|6}} By the time they are prepared to join, they are eager and rearing for their first battle. Cadian High Command does not carelessly fling these young troops into battle, nor are they offered any special consideration. Instead they fight alongside their older and more experienced comrades. It is estimated that up to half of these inductees survive to claim the rank of guardsman.{{Fn|3}}
Cadian Youth Army organization typically consists of two to five [[Imperial_Guard_Squad#Whiteshield Squad| squads]] of around 10 probitors each, organized into a Youth Army [[Imperial Guard Platoon| Platoon]] consiting of around 20 to 50 probitors. Such a platoon often acts much more like a large singular unit than individual squads. Each platoon will typically be paired up with a platoon of regular line soldiers, the very same platoon they will be recruited to upon proving themselves. Generally probitors are armed with [[lasgun]]s. In each squad, a single probitor may be entrusted with a [[flamer]] or a [[grenade launcher]] while two probitors may be permitted to form a [[Imperial Guard Squad| heavy weapons team]] to fire a [[missile launcher]], [[autocannon]], or [[heavy bolter]].{{Fn|5b}}
