From a design point of view I'd love to see them get PTRS+light AT mine upgrade (I'd remove the PTRS from guards, so they'd be solely AI, but elite at that, I never liked the idea of elite infantry running around with obsolete AT rifles in 1944).
I like this idea, although it would make Conscript AT Tactics redundant. But on the bright side, Guards would serve as the long range combatants.
Add reinforce decrease upon vet. That way they can scale into late-game with a rather more fitting and uncommon (regarding all coh2 units) role: suicide attacks (squad wipes excluded).
This is also a good idea, fits with them being expendable troops, but doesn't promote reckless play.
it's ironic that the flamer rifleman is one of the most fear allied units while the penal is one of the least used allied units.
Because Riflemen have grenades, smoke, vehicle snare, and at Vet 3, insane durability.