Board Thread:Speculation House/@comment-4830106-20130810030606/@comment-24994749-20140705031446

Besides, child soldiers is something we should have been expecting. Blake looked like she already was 17 in the Black Trailer but think about the fact the White Fang turned to violence 5 years before the beggining of the series: 17 - 5 = 12. For Blake to fight like she fought in the trailer they likely started training her as soon as they turned to violence.

As for the students being 17 and fighting, it seems it will be more out of their own accord than because Ozpin or Glynd aor any other teacher will send them out as soldiers.