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Been out of the game for over a decade and have just started getting back into the hobby. Ive bought the astra militarum starter set so ive got
-lem russ
-commisar
-and the infantry squad.
Any advice on how to expand from there and any good strategies for games?

For expansion, I would bring the infantry up to minimum platoon strength - so another squad of 10 Infantry and a platoon command squad. These squads can be then be used as an Infantry Platoon, or Individual Veteran Squads. Then it comes down to what you like - a mass of infantry or a mass of armour are both viable options.

Infantry horde guard is my recommendation, with limited vehicle support. I can't recommend ebayed cadians shock troops enough, on average I've been able to source guardsmen for around 60p each, which makes large armies possible for a reasonable price!

Thanks. Ive just ordered a couple of the cheap snap together guardsmen along with my next batch of hobby supplies. Going to paint up what ive already got. Will probably get that new box set of transport with a troop choice next.
Ive read that sentinels arent very effective competitively. But either way i want a squadron of them so i was wondering if any of you know any good tactics to get the most out of their points cost.

I'd generally say sentinels are around middling performance in the AM codex. They're certainly not one of the strongest units but can be a reliable addition to an army. The best way to run them currently is as a Emperor's talon recon company (though I believe you need 6 of them). It's a formation in the mont'ka guard expansion book - there are some details here https://1d4chan.org/wiki/Warhammer_40,000/Tactics/Imperial_Guard(7E)#Cadian_Battle_Group_Detachment_.28Warzone_Damocles:_Mont.27Ka.29

Both the scout and armoured sentinels can have a roll in the standard CAD though.

I'd arm them with multilasers or autocannons personally - the other options are fairly over priced.

Not sure how well they would work in current rules/meta, but I used to have success with Scout sentinels (usually a squadron of 2) with Autocannon and HK Missiles Outflanking.