You know what would be cool? Global SVT upgrade for conscripts, and let penals upgrade to bazookas. Not my idea but BananainPajamas is too lazy to post so I'm just going to mention I like it.
Very cool idea.
And @Woof and Argul yes armor and smoke. .25 armor is huge. Much huger than the benefit of excellent medium range DPS of the Pgrens not to mention their cheaper cost, non doctrine and upgrade ability to Shreks.
Edit: Lets also not forget smoke isnt free last time i checked. Makes sense a more expensive close range ONLY unit should need this to close in on a much more flexible close and medium range unit. They also both have nades lets not forget that as well. Perhaps a nade from the STs should also be taken into account. After all they could close in and lose several models and come out on top by spending even more muni.