As has been pointed out, Penal units where not (usually) unequipped for their dangerous roles. Yes, some commanders probably cared less if they died, but that is arbitrary in war. Soldiers will always die, in every engagement. What matters, is mission success, and in order to do that, umits mist be supplied and armed to complete the mission (despite higher attrtition).
Even with a Penal unit, its pointless to send them into dangerous mission, without the means to complete it.
The really paradoxical thing about criticism of Penals inCoh2, is that it actually seems to be the Sov supporters primarily who are misrepresenting Penals as a "suicide throwaway unit", not the game itself. Penal DPS and cost, is not throwaway. They are NOT a suicide unit. Yet some people, especially those nominally empathetic to the Sov military historyseem to keep insisting on the stereotype, though the game, actually, doesnt ay all portray them as suicide disposable units.
They are expensive. They have good weapons. How is that representing them as suicide expendable units?
Makes no sense.
The name of it speaks for itself. Not being treated like crap doesnt come in mind when thinking of a penal unit.
Thats why a simple rename of strelkovy and such should clear these people's minds.