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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}}
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 children of the regiment's Guardsmen when they come of age. Children fathered by Guardsmen are usually brought up within the regiment, immersing them in the regiments culture and traditions. This creating sense of extended family with the entire regiment, and can infuse the children with the culture of the regiments original homeworld they might not ever have seen. 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}} This method of recruitment is deemed safer especially in the event the Imperial Guard has invaded and occupied a world with a hostile local populace.{{Fn|1}}
Once they are deemed ready, probitors are formed into [[Imperial Guard Squad#Whiteshield Squad|Whiteshield Squads]] lead by an experienced [[Sergeant (Imperial Guard)|Sergeant]]. The sergeant also wears the whiteshield and stripes of his squad, though only he is allowed to wear proper Imperial Guard insignia and iconography such as an [[Aquila]] of the Astra Militarum. Typically they are assigned alongside normal [[Imperial Guard Platoon|Infantry Platoons]] to learn from the example of guardsmen around them. Occasionally, however, a company may form entire platoons solely of whiteshields, trusting that their courage will compensate for lack of experience.{{Fn|1}}
