If a few recruits get left behind, struggle to level and die off over time, that's better than a party wipe.
That's the trick. I'm trying to develop enough skill and game knowledge to never have a party wipe. If I can manage that (and that is something I have control over), then I can earnestly level them up (albeit at a glacial pace) and then take them on to the next level of fighting without losing them. The only thing is that since I'm not save scumming - one mistake can be brutally punishing. I need to get better at knowing when and how to retreat, as well as knowing what I can feasibly take on with very few losses - but that takes time and experience with the troops I'm using.
You can still break them out and use your more experienced troops to draw agro before sending your recruits in around the end of the shield line to flank if you want to keep giving them love to get stragglers off level 1.
That's a good idea, and probably way more feasible once the party size reaches around 200. I am playing on realistic and if I take myself on a horse out there to draw attention away from the recruits, I very well could get taken out by ranged attacks. Thanks for the tip!
If you want to pick up a stock of survivable troops from somewhere else that you don't need to replenish regularly, go for Khuzait horse archers. Ranged attack and cavalry at level 2, can't beat it for survivability.
Also good advice, thank you. I was thinking of dipping back into the desert for the Aserai Marmaluke Heavy Cavalry (super versatile unit). But rather than fall on an old crutch, I think I'll just bite the bullet and learn how to go all out with what's available in the area I'm roaming around in.
I might go try out those Khurzait horse archers if I lose my patience though haha