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==Overview==
Officially designated as ''probitors'', they are more commonly called whiteshields, as well as ''cadets'', ''probationers'' or ''gun babies''. Whiteshields are the sons and daughters fathered by Guardsmen during their posting and raised within the regiment.{{Fn|1}} As they are not yet considered true Guardsmen, Whiteshields do not wear unit insignia - the only markings they are allowed to wear are blank white badges as well the white helmet stripe that distinguish them.{{Fn|1}} [[File:Whiteshield Caps.png|thumb|right|The caps of Cadian Whiteshields ([[10th Edition]])]] [[Whiteshield#Cadian_Whiteshields| Cadian Whiteshields]] may wear caps whose skull has not yet earned the wings to their [[Astra Militarum]] insignia.{{Fn|8}}{{Fn|9}} Severe disciplinary action may be given to those who decorate their uniform with badges or slogans, being seen as impudent presumption by those who have actually earned the right to be proper warriors.{{Fn|1}} [[File:Whiteshield Caps.png|thumb|right|The caps of Cadian Whiteshields ([[10th Edition]])]]
Imperial Guard Regiments are generally posted to combat zones far from their homeworlds, and it is rarely practical to recruit from the homeworlds to replace casualties. Typically replenishment consists of folding in other shattered regiments together to bring them up to full strength. However, regiments that are left to garrison a world they have conquered by [[Right of Settlement]] instead gain recruits by drafting the sons of the regiment's Guardsmen when they come of age. Children fathered by Guardsmen are usually brought up within the regiment, immersing them in its culture and traditions. Early in their lives they perform menial and support duties which would otherwise eat into the regiment's fighting strength. However, as they grow older, combat training takes up more and more of their time until they are deemed ready for their first battle.{{Fn|1}}
