Profile of Torky13

Skipping T1 on 3v3s seems viable. I find it better if you plan to play more aggresively and mobile around early-mid game and if the only unit you build in T1 is the grenadier. T2 overall provides a better variety of units that transition reliably to late game (scout car an exception). I've tried a 1mg 3pio start, rush T2 followed by 2 pgs and an unupgraded HT for mobile reinforcement. 2 pios with flamer 1 with minesweeper, 1 pg with shrecks.
Proceed to AT gun or Tech 3 for AT purposes.
Pioflamer + vanilla PG flanking combo with MG support is extremely effective against most early-mid game infantry. Also handles garrisons more reliably than gren rifle grenades. With strong short range support you can end fights faster than gren mg start.
Retreat where necessary. HT returns to hq and transports MG and PG back to the field. Exchange retreating flamer with backup flamer already on field. Push again. Having a fast transport HT to bring back the 3 squad Anti infantry group gives you abit more freedom to retreat without losing too much by doing so. unupgraded HTs played safe are much more useful than bunker reinforcements as its mobile and allows for more aggresive pushes.
Remaining pios build mines, help with repairs or stall and add minor battlefield presence. Shreck PG with AT gun or Tank support to handle any early vehicle assaults.
Transition to late game with AT/AI tank support depending on situation. T3 units synergize well with more mobile aggressive field presence

recently my friend and I have only done 2v2's because I've accepted I suck at 1v1 haha. I'll do one and put it up today for you dude

Looking forward to it

Do you have a replay that I could see by any chance? I'd like to take a look at how you play

From my experience with penals so far throughout, I too personally haven't been able to effectively use them.Short range dps is still decent enough to flank and assault support weapons,volks and grens but insuffucient to contest an area if relying on positional cover from medium to long distances.
I definitely agree with the idea of merging conscripts with penals to maintain strong early mobile presence.
I find the choice in going T1 is still pretty valid in larger spacious maps. The scout car still serves as excellent harass, quick transport and cover and works with the penals reasonably well.
Again, echoing everyone's opinion, the reason why penals are still somewhat desired is likely due to their satchel charge capabilty. A single penal flamer penal squad can level any early bunker play or cache investment without suffering much loss or risk.
T1 without T2 progression pretty much means you will inevitibly need to rely on call ins for early AT cover which is almost guaranteed necessary.
I have found the partisan commander incredibly synergistic with the mindset of mobile harass in large spacious maps. Radio intercept to identify early cache, 1penal for bunker/cache sabotage (the earlier the better), tank hunter partisans with AT grens for any vehicles up to medium tanks Partisan anti infantry (now more reilable than before) for flanking assaults and choke point harass. Partisan 'maphack' to find more information on how to respond mid game onwards