This is such a idiotic argument. units need to perform at vet 0 because you have plenty of early game battles to win with volks. if they do not perform then they are underpowered and need buffs.=. people seem to forget that us and soviets get veterancy as well. the impact of vet 4 and 5 is not nearly as great as some people like to believe. not to mention its not even certain you can get vet 4 or 5 and the for the volks vet 1 , 2 and 3 are the weakest of any infantry unit in the game.
Let's compare core infantry veterancy, DPS and abilities.
Volks:
-10% received accuracy
+30% accuracy -20% weapon cooldown
-10% received accuracy Healing when out of combat
+40% sight range +30% accuracy
-29% received accuracy
Conscripts:
"Awesome" tripwire flares
+25% Range on Molotov +40% Accuracy
+30% Armor >> (-23% RA) -20% Cooldown -25% Recharge on AT Grenade
Grenadiers
"Awesome" medic kit
+25% Range on Rifle-grenade +40% Accuracy
+30% Armor (-23% RA) -20% Cooldown -25% Recharge on Panzerfaust
Rifles
Unlocks AT Rifle grenade
-23% received accuracy -20% weapon cooldown
+30% accuracy -50% ability recharge +25% grenade range
DPS
N/M/F
Volks: (3.434) 17.17 / (1.703) 8.515 / (1.220) 6.1
Cons: (2.862) 17.172 / (1.344) 8.064 / (0.658) 3.948
Grens: (5.916) 23.664 / (2.951) 11.804 / (2.129) 8.516
Rifles: (5.691) 28.455 / (2.689) 13.445 / (1.736) 8.68
Abilities:
Volks: sandbags, Nade (after truck), and Shrecks. Doctrinal: scavenge, assault nades, defensive structures and minefield.
Cons: sandbags (worst version), Hoorah, Merge (such UTILITY, much AWESOME), AT nades n Molotovs (requires teching). Doctrinal: PPSH, repair kits, PTRS, Assault AT nades, HTD.
Grens: bunkers, RNade, Faust, LMG42. Doctrinal: G43, cammo, sprint.
Rifles: ...
Now: repeat after me, "Volks sucks, they have crappy Veterancy and they don't scale".