diff --git a/hack/testdata/pod-with-metadata-and-probes.yaml b/hack/testdata/pod-with-metadata-and-probes.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..4087c14b408
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hack/testdata/pod-with-metadata-and-probes.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+apiVersion: v1
+kind: Pod
+metadata:
+  annotations:
+    test: test
+  labels:
+    run: target
+  name: target
+spec:
+  containers:
+  - image: registry.k8s.io/nginx:1.7.9
+    name: target
+    readinessProbe:
+      exec:
+        command: ["/bin/sh", "-c", "cat probe"]
+    livenessProbe:
+      exec:
+        command: ["/bin/sh", "-c", "cat probe"]
+    startupProbe:
+      exec:
+        command: ["/bin/sh", "-c", "cat probe"]
+  initContainers:
+  - image: busybox
+    name: init
diff --git a/staging/src/k8s.io/kubectl/pkg/cmd/debug/debug.go b/staging/src/k8s.io/kubectl/pkg/cmd/debug/debug.go
index 53ca2660a5a..6a3bd6ece92 100644
--- a/staging/src/k8s.io/kubectl/pkg/cmd/debug/debug.go
+++ b/staging/src/k8s.io/kubectl/pkg/cmd/debug/debug.go
@@ -111,29 +111,35 @@ type DebugAttachFunc func(ctx context.Context, restClientGetter genericclioption
 
 // DebugOptions holds the options for an invocation of kubectl debug.
 type DebugOptions struct {
-	Args              []string
-	ArgsOnly          bool
-	Attach            bool
-	AttachFunc        DebugAttachFunc
-	Container         string
-	CopyTo            string
-	Replace           bool
-	Env               []corev1.EnvVar
-	Image             string
-	Interactive       bool
-	Namespace         string
-	TargetNames       []string
-	PullPolicy        corev1.PullPolicy
-	Quiet             bool
-	SameNode          bool
-	SetImages         map[string]string
-	ShareProcesses    bool
-	TargetContainer   string
-	TTY               bool
-	Profile           string
-	CustomProfileFile string
-	CustomProfile     *corev1.Container
-	Applier           ProfileApplier
+	Args               []string
+	ArgsOnly           bool
+	Attach             bool
+	AttachFunc         DebugAttachFunc
+	Container          string
+	CopyTo             string
+	Replace            bool
+	Env                []corev1.EnvVar
+	Image              string
+	Interactive        bool
+	KeepLabels         bool
+	KeepAnnotations    bool
+	KeepLiveness       bool
+	KeepReadiness      bool
+	KeepStartup        bool
+	KeepInitContainers bool
+	Namespace          string
+	TargetNames        []string
+	PullPolicy         corev1.PullPolicy
+	Quiet              bool
+	SameNode           bool
+	SetImages          map[string]string
+	ShareProcesses     bool
+	TargetContainer    string
+	TTY                bool
+	Profile            string
+	CustomProfileFile  string
+	CustomProfile      *corev1.Container
+	Applier            ProfileApplier
 
 	explicitNamespace     bool
 	attachChanged         bool
@@ -151,10 +157,11 @@ type DebugOptions struct {
 // NewDebugOptions returns a DebugOptions initialized with default values.
 func NewDebugOptions(streams genericiooptions.IOStreams) *DebugOptions {
 	return &DebugOptions{
-		Args:           []string{},
-		IOStreams:      streams,
-		TargetNames:    []string{},
-		ShareProcesses: true,
+		Args:               []string{},
+		IOStreams:          streams,
+		KeepInitContainers: true,
+		TargetNames:        []string{},
+		ShareProcesses:     true,
 	}
 }
 
@@ -189,6 +196,12 @@ func (o *DebugOptions) AddFlags(cmd *cobra.Command) {
 	cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&o.Replace, "replace", o.Replace, i18n.T("When used with '--copy-to', delete the original Pod."))
 	cmd.Flags().StringToString("env", nil, i18n.T("Environment variables to set in the container."))
 	cmd.Flags().StringVar(&o.Image, "image", o.Image, i18n.T("Container image to use for debug container."))
+	cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&o.KeepLabels, "keep-labels", o.KeepLabels, i18n.T("If true, keep the original pod labels.(This flag only works when used with '--copy-to')"))
+	cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&o.KeepAnnotations, "keep-annotations", o.KeepAnnotations, i18n.T("If true, keep the original pod annotations.(This flag only works when used with '--copy-to')"))
+	cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&o.KeepLiveness, "keep-liveness", o.KeepLiveness, i18n.T("If true, keep the original pod liveness probes.(This flag only works when used with '--copy-to')"))
+	cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&o.KeepReadiness, "keep-readiness", o.KeepReadiness, i18n.T("If true, keep the original pod readiness probes.(This flag only works when used with '--copy-to')"))
+	cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&o.KeepStartup, "keep-startup", o.KeepStartup, i18n.T("If true, keep the original startup probes.(This flag only works when used with '--copy-to')"))
+	cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&o.KeepInitContainers, "keep-init-containers", o.KeepInitContainers, i18n.T("Run the init containers for the pod. Defaults to true.(This flag only works when used with '--copy-to')"))
 	cmd.Flags().StringToStringVar(&o.SetImages, "set-image", o.SetImages, i18n.T("When used with '--copy-to', a list of name=image pairs for changing container images, similar to how 'kubectl set image' works."))
 	cmd.Flags().String("image-pull-policy", "", i18n.T("The image pull policy for the container. If left empty, this value will not be specified by the client and defaulted by the server."))
 	cmd.Flags().BoolVarP(&o.Interactive, "stdin", "i", o.Interactive, i18n.T("Keep stdin open on the container(s) in the pod, even if nothing is attached."))
@@ -257,7 +270,15 @@ func (o *DebugOptions) Complete(restClientGetter genericclioptions.RESTClientGet
 	}
 
 	if o.Applier == nil {
-		applier, err := NewProfileApplier(o.Profile)
+		kflags := KeepFlags{
+			Labels:         o.KeepLabels,
+			Annotations:    o.KeepAnnotations,
+			Liveness:       o.KeepLiveness,
+			Readiness:      o.KeepReadiness,
+			Startup:        o.KeepStartup,
+			InitContainers: o.KeepInitContainers,
+		}
+		applier, err := NewProfileApplier(o.Profile, kflags)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -708,6 +729,7 @@ func (o *DebugOptions) generatePodCopyWithDebugContainer(pod *corev1.Pod) (*core
 			Name:        o.CopyTo,
 			Namespace:   pod.Namespace,
 			Annotations: pod.Annotations,
+			Labels:      pod.Labels,
 		},
 		Spec: *pod.Spec.DeepCopy(),
 	}
diff --git a/staging/src/k8s.io/kubectl/pkg/cmd/debug/debug_test.go b/staging/src/k8s.io/kubectl/pkg/cmd/debug/debug_test.go
index a4c25606b72..06150b077e8 100644
--- a/staging/src/k8s.io/kubectl/pkg/cmd/debug/debug_test.go
+++ b/staging/src/k8s.io/kubectl/pkg/cmd/debug/debug_test.go
@@ -339,18 +339,24 @@ func TestGenerateDebugContainer(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	} {
 		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			tc.opts.IOStreams = genericiooptions.NewTestIOStreamsDiscard()
-			suffixCounter = 0
-
-			if tc.pod == nil {
-				tc.pod = &corev1.Pod{}
+			var err error
+			kflags := KeepFlags{
+				Labels:         tc.opts.KeepLabels,
+				Annotations:    tc.opts.KeepAnnotations,
+				Liveness:       tc.opts.KeepLiveness,
+				Readiness:      tc.opts.KeepReadiness,
+				Startup:        tc.opts.KeepStartup,
+				InitContainers: tc.opts.KeepInitContainers,
 			}
-
-			applier, err := NewProfileApplier(tc.opts.Profile)
+			tc.opts.Applier, err = NewProfileApplier(tc.opts.Profile, kflags)
 			if err != nil {
 				t.Fatalf("failed to create profile applier: %s: %v", tc.opts.Profile, err)
 			}
-			tc.opts.Applier = applier
+			tc.opts.IOStreams = genericiooptions.NewTestIOStreamsDiscard()
+			suffixCounter = 0
+			if tc.pod == nil {
+				tc.pod = &corev1.Pod{}
+			}
 
 			_, debugContainer, err := tc.opts.generateDebugContainer(tc.pod)
 			if err != nil {
@@ -426,6 +432,9 @@ func TestGeneratePodCopyWithDebugContainer(t *testing.T) {
 			havePod: &corev1.Pod{
 				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
 					Name: "target",
+					Labels: map[string]string{
+						"app": "business",
+					},
 				},
 				Spec: corev1.PodSpec{
 					Containers: []corev1.Container{
@@ -792,13 +801,63 @@ func TestGeneratePodCopyWithDebugContainer(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 			},
 		},
+		{
+			name: "pod with probes",
+			opts: &DebugOptions{
+				CopyTo:        "debugger",
+				Container:     "debugger",
+				Image:         "busybox",
+				KeepLiveness:  true,
+				KeepReadiness: true,
+				KeepStartup:   true,
+				PullPolicy:    corev1.PullIfNotPresent,
+				Profile:       ProfileLegacy,
+			},
+			havePod: &corev1.Pod{
+				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
+					Name: "target",
+				},
+				Spec: corev1.PodSpec{
+					Containers: []corev1.Container{
+						{
+							Name:           "business",
+							LivenessProbe:  &corev1.Probe{},
+							ReadinessProbe: &corev1.Probe{},
+							StartupProbe:   &corev1.Probe{},
+						},
+					},
+				},
+			},
+			wantPod: &corev1.Pod{
+				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
+					Name: "debugger",
+				},
+				Spec: corev1.PodSpec{
+					Containers: []corev1.Container{
+						{
+							Name:           "business",
+							LivenessProbe:  &corev1.Probe{},
+							ReadinessProbe: &corev1.Probe{},
+							StartupProbe:   &corev1.Probe{},
+						},
+						{
+							Name:                     "debugger",
+							Image:                    "busybox",
+							ImagePullPolicy:          corev1.PullIfNotPresent,
+							TerminationMessagePolicy: corev1.TerminationMessageReadFile,
+						},
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		},
 		{
 			name: "pod with init containers",
 			opts: &DebugOptions{
-				CopyTo:     "debugger",
-				Image:      "busybox",
-				PullPolicy: corev1.PullIfNotPresent,
-				Profile:    ProfileLegacy,
+				CopyTo:             "debugger",
+				Image:              "busybox",
+				KeepInitContainers: true,
+				PullPolicy:         corev1.PullIfNotPresent,
+				Profile:            ProfileLegacy,
 			},
 			havePod: &corev1.Pod{
 				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
@@ -1356,7 +1415,15 @@ func TestGeneratePodCopyWithDebugContainer(t *testing.T) {
 	} {
 		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
 			var err error
-			tc.opts.Applier, err = NewProfileApplier(tc.opts.Profile)
+			kflags := KeepFlags{
+				Labels:         tc.opts.KeepLabels,
+				Annotations:    tc.opts.KeepAnnotations,
+				Liveness:       tc.opts.KeepLiveness,
+				Readiness:      tc.opts.KeepReadiness,
+				Startup:        tc.opts.KeepStartup,
+				InitContainers: tc.opts.KeepInitContainers,
+			}
+			tc.opts.Applier, err = NewProfileApplier(tc.opts.Profile, kflags)
 			if err != nil {
 				t.Fatalf("Fail to create profile applier: %s: %v", tc.opts.Profile, err)
 			}
@@ -1739,7 +1806,15 @@ func TestGenerateNodeDebugPod(t *testing.T) {
 	} {
 		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
 			var err error
-			tc.opts.Applier, err = NewProfileApplier(tc.opts.Profile)
+			kflags := KeepFlags{
+				Labels:         tc.opts.KeepLabels,
+				Annotations:    tc.opts.KeepAnnotations,
+				Liveness:       tc.opts.KeepLiveness,
+				Readiness:      tc.opts.KeepReadiness,
+				Startup:        tc.opts.KeepStartup,
+				InitContainers: tc.opts.KeepInitContainers,
+			}
+			tc.opts.Applier, err = NewProfileApplier(tc.opts.Profile, kflags)
 			if err != nil {
 				t.Fatalf("Fail to create profile applier: %s: %v", tc.opts.Profile, err)
 			}
@@ -2015,7 +2090,15 @@ func TestGenerateNodeDebugPodCustomProfile(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
 			cmdtesting.WithAlphaEnvs([]cmdutil.FeatureGate{cmdutil.DebugCustomProfile}, t, func(t *testing.T) {
 				var err error
-				tc.opts.Applier, err = NewProfileApplier(tc.opts.Profile)
+				kflags := KeepFlags{
+					Labels:         tc.opts.KeepLabels,
+					Annotations:    tc.opts.KeepAnnotations,
+					Liveness:       tc.opts.KeepLiveness,
+					Readiness:      tc.opts.KeepReadiness,
+					Startup:        tc.opts.KeepStartup,
+					InitContainers: tc.opts.KeepInitContainers,
+				}
+				tc.opts.Applier, err = NewProfileApplier(tc.opts.Profile, kflags)
 				if err != nil {
 					t.Fatalf("Fail to create profile applier: %s: %v", tc.opts.Profile, err)
 				}
@@ -2215,7 +2298,15 @@ func TestGenerateCopyDebugPodCustomProfile(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
 			cmdtesting.WithAlphaEnvs([]cmdutil.FeatureGate{cmdutil.DebugCustomProfile}, t, func(t *testing.T) {
 				var err error
-				tc.opts.Applier, err = NewProfileApplier(tc.opts.Profile)
+				kflags := KeepFlags{
+					Labels:         tc.opts.KeepLabels,
+					Annotations:    tc.opts.KeepAnnotations,
+					Liveness:       tc.opts.KeepLiveness,
+					Readiness:      tc.opts.KeepReadiness,
+					Startup:        tc.opts.KeepStartup,
+					InitContainers: tc.opts.KeepInitContainers,
+				}
+				tc.opts.Applier, err = NewProfileApplier(tc.opts.Profile, kflags)
 				if err != nil {
 					t.Fatalf("Fail to create profile applier: %s: %v", tc.opts.Profile, err)
 				}
@@ -2421,7 +2512,15 @@ func TestGenerateEphemeralDebugPodCustomProfile(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
 			cmdtesting.WithAlphaEnvs([]cmdutil.FeatureGate{cmdutil.DebugCustomProfile}, t, func(t *testing.T) {
 				var err error
-				tc.opts.Applier, err = NewProfileApplier(tc.opts.Profile)
+				kflags := KeepFlags{
+					Labels:         tc.opts.KeepLabels,
+					Annotations:    tc.opts.KeepAnnotations,
+					Liveness:       tc.opts.KeepLiveness,
+					Readiness:      tc.opts.KeepReadiness,
+					Startup:        tc.opts.KeepStartup,
+					InitContainers: tc.opts.KeepInitContainers,
+				}
+				tc.opts.Applier, err = NewProfileApplier(tc.opts.Profile, kflags)
 				if err != nil {
 					t.Fatalf("Fail to create profile applier: %s: %v", tc.opts.Profile, err)
 				}
@@ -2486,94 +2585,101 @@ func TestCompleteAndValidate(t *testing.T) {
 			name: "Set image pull policy",
 			args: "--image=busybox --image-pull-policy=Always mypod",
 			wantOpts: &DebugOptions{
-				Args:           []string{},
-				Image:          "busybox",
-				Namespace:      "test",
-				PullPolicy:     corev1.PullPolicy("Always"),
-				ShareProcesses: true,
-				Profile:        ProfileLegacy,
-				TargetNames:    []string{"mypod"},
+				Args:               []string{},
+				Image:              "busybox",
+				KeepInitContainers: true,
+				Namespace:          "test",
+				PullPolicy:         corev1.PullPolicy("Always"),
+				ShareProcesses:     true,
+				Profile:            ProfileLegacy,
+				TargetNames:        []string{"mypod"},
 			},
 		},
 		{
 			name: "Multiple targets",
 			args: "--image=busybox mypod1 mypod2",
 			wantOpts: &DebugOptions{
-				Args:           []string{},
-				Image:          "busybox",
-				Namespace:      "test",
-				ShareProcesses: true,
-				Profile:        ProfileLegacy,
-				TargetNames:    []string{"mypod1", "mypod2"},
+				Args:               []string{},
+				Image:              "busybox",
+				KeepInitContainers: true,
+				Namespace:          "test",
+				ShareProcesses:     true,
+				Profile:            ProfileLegacy,
+				TargetNames:        []string{"mypod1", "mypod2"},
 			},
 		},
 		{
 			name: "Arguments with dash",
 			args: "--image=busybox mypod1 mypod2 -- echo 1 2",
 			wantOpts: &DebugOptions{
-				Args:           []string{"echo", "1", "2"},
-				Image:          "busybox",
-				Namespace:      "test",
-				ShareProcesses: true,
-				Profile:        ProfileLegacy,
-				TargetNames:    []string{"mypod1", "mypod2"},
+				Args:               []string{"echo", "1", "2"},
+				Image:              "busybox",
+				KeepInitContainers: true,
+				Namespace:          "test",
+				ShareProcesses:     true,
+				Profile:            ProfileLegacy,
+				TargetNames:        []string{"mypod1", "mypod2"},
 			},
 		},
 		{
 			name: "Interactive no attach",
 			args: "-ti --image=busybox --attach=false mypod",
 			wantOpts: &DebugOptions{
-				Args:           []string{},
-				Attach:         false,
-				Image:          "busybox",
-				Interactive:    true,
-				Namespace:      "test",
-				ShareProcesses: true,
-				Profile:        ProfileLegacy,
-				TargetNames:    []string{"mypod"},
-				TTY:            true,
+				Args:               []string{},
+				Attach:             false,
+				Image:              "busybox",
+				KeepInitContainers: true,
+				Interactive:        true,
+				Namespace:          "test",
+				ShareProcesses:     true,
+				Profile:            ProfileLegacy,
+				TargetNames:        []string{"mypod"},
+				TTY:                true,
 			},
 		},
 		{
 			name: "Set environment variables",
 			args: "--image=busybox --env=FOO=BAR mypod",
 			wantOpts: &DebugOptions{
-				Args:           []string{},
-				Env:            []corev1.EnvVar{{Name: "FOO", Value: "BAR"}},
-				Image:          "busybox",
-				Namespace:      "test",
-				ShareProcesses: true,
-				Profile:        ProfileLegacy,
-				TargetNames:    []string{"mypod"},
+				Args:               []string{},
+				Env:                []corev1.EnvVar{{Name: "FOO", Value: "BAR"}},
+				Image:              "busybox",
+				KeepInitContainers: true,
+				Namespace:          "test",
+				ShareProcesses:     true,
+				Profile:            ProfileLegacy,
+				TargetNames:        []string{"mypod"},
 			},
 		},
 		{
 			name: "Ephemeral container: interactive session minimal args",
 			args: "mypod -it --image=busybox",
 			wantOpts: &DebugOptions{
-				Args:           []string{},
-				Attach:         true,
-				Image:          "busybox",
-				Interactive:    true,
-				Namespace:      "test",
-				ShareProcesses: true,
-				Profile:        ProfileLegacy,
-				TargetNames:    []string{"mypod"},
-				TTY:            true,
+				Args:               []string{},
+				Attach:             true,
+				Image:              "busybox",
+				Interactive:        true,
+				KeepInitContainers: true,
+				Namespace:          "test",
+				ShareProcesses:     true,
+				Profile:            ProfileLegacy,
+				TargetNames:        []string{"mypod"},
+				TTY:                true,
 			},
 		},
 		{
 			name: "Ephemeral container: non-interactive debugger with image and name",
 			args: "--image=myproj/debug-tools --image-pull-policy=Always -c debugger mypod",
 			wantOpts: &DebugOptions{
-				Args:           []string{},
-				Container:      "debugger",
-				Image:          "myproj/debug-tools",
-				Namespace:      "test",
-				PullPolicy:     corev1.PullPolicy("Always"),
-				Profile:        ProfileLegacy,
-				ShareProcesses: true,
-				TargetNames:    []string{"mypod"},
+				Args:               []string{},
+				Container:          "debugger",
+				Image:              "myproj/debug-tools",
+				KeepInitContainers: true,
+				Namespace:          "test",
+				PullPolicy:         corev1.PullPolicy("Always"),
+				Profile:            ProfileLegacy,
+				ShareProcesses:     true,
+				TargetNames:        []string{"mypod"},
 			},
 		},
 		{
@@ -2605,67 +2711,72 @@ func TestCompleteAndValidate(t *testing.T) {
 			name: "Pod copy: interactive debug container minimal args",
 			args: "mypod -it --image=busybox --copy-to=my-debugger",
 			wantOpts: &DebugOptions{
-				Args:           []string{},
-				Attach:         true,
-				CopyTo:         "my-debugger",
-				Image:          "busybox",
-				Interactive:    true,
-				Namespace:      "test",
-				ShareProcesses: true,
-				Profile:        ProfileLegacy,
-				TargetNames:    []string{"mypod"},
-				TTY:            true,
+				Args:               []string{},
+				Attach:             true,
+				CopyTo:             "my-debugger",
+				Image:              "busybox",
+				Interactive:        true,
+				KeepInitContainers: true,
+				Namespace:          "test",
+				ShareProcesses:     true,
+				Profile:            ProfileLegacy,
+				TargetNames:        []string{"mypod"},
+				TTY:                true,
 			},
 		},
 		{
 			name: "Pod copy: non-interactive with debug container, image name and command",
 			args: "mypod --image=busybox --container=my-container --copy-to=my-debugger -- sleep 1d",
 			wantOpts: &DebugOptions{
-				Args:           []string{"sleep", "1d"},
-				Container:      "my-container",
-				CopyTo:         "my-debugger",
-				Image:          "busybox",
-				Namespace:      "test",
-				ShareProcesses: true,
-				Profile:        ProfileLegacy,
-				TargetNames:    []string{"mypod"},
+				Args:               []string{"sleep", "1d"},
+				Container:          "my-container",
+				CopyTo:             "my-debugger",
+				Image:              "busybox",
+				KeepInitContainers: true,
+				Namespace:          "test",
+				ShareProcesses:     true,
+				Profile:            ProfileLegacy,
+				TargetNames:        []string{"mypod"},
 			},
 		},
 		{
 			name: "Pod copy: explicit attach",
 			args: "mypod --image=busybox --copy-to=my-debugger --attach -- sleep 1d",
 			wantOpts: &DebugOptions{
-				Args:           []string{"sleep", "1d"},
-				Attach:         true,
-				CopyTo:         "my-debugger",
-				Image:          "busybox",
-				Namespace:      "test",
-				ShareProcesses: true,
-				Profile:        ProfileLegacy,
-				TargetNames:    []string{"mypod"},
+				Args:               []string{"sleep", "1d"},
+				Attach:             true,
+				CopyTo:             "my-debugger",
+				Image:              "busybox",
+				KeepInitContainers: true,
+				Namespace:          "test",
+				ShareProcesses:     true,
+				Profile:            ProfileLegacy,
+				TargetNames:        []string{"mypod"},
 			},
 		},
 		{
 			name: "Pod copy: replace single image of existing container",
 			args: "mypod --image=busybox --container=my-container --copy-to=my-debugger",
 			wantOpts: &DebugOptions{
-				Args:           []string{},
-				Container:      "my-container",
-				CopyTo:         "my-debugger",
-				Image:          "busybox",
-				Namespace:      "test",
-				ShareProcesses: true,
-				Profile:        ProfileLegacy,
-				TargetNames:    []string{"mypod"},
+				Args:               []string{},
+				Container:          "my-container",
+				CopyTo:             "my-debugger",
+				Image:              "busybox",
+				KeepInitContainers: true,
+				Namespace:          "test",
+				ShareProcesses:     true,
+				Profile:            ProfileLegacy,
+				TargetNames:        []string{"mypod"},
 			},
 		},
 		{
 			name: "Pod copy: mutate existing container images",
 			args: "mypod --set-image=*=busybox,app=app-debugger --copy-to=my-debugger",
 			wantOpts: &DebugOptions{
-				Args:      []string{},
-				CopyTo:    "my-debugger",
-				Namespace: "test",
+				Args:               []string{},
+				CopyTo:             "my-debugger",
+				KeepInitContainers: true,
+				Namespace:          "test",
 				SetImages: map[string]string{
 					"*":   "busybox",
 					"app": "app-debugger",
@@ -2679,12 +2790,13 @@ func TestCompleteAndValidate(t *testing.T) {
 			name: "Pod copy: add container and also mutate images",
 			args: "mypod -it --copy-to=my-debugger --image=debian --set-image=app=app:debug,sidecar=sidecar:debug",
 			wantOpts: &DebugOptions{
-				Args:        []string{},
-				Attach:      true,
-				CopyTo:      "my-debugger",
-				Image:       "debian",
-				Interactive: true,
-				Namespace:   "test",
+				Args:               []string{},
+				Attach:             true,
+				CopyTo:             "my-debugger",
+				Image:              "debian",
+				Interactive:        true,
+				KeepInitContainers: true,
+				Namespace:          "test",
 				SetImages: map[string]string{
 					"app":     "app:debug",
 					"sidecar": "sidecar:debug",
@@ -2699,16 +2811,39 @@ func TestCompleteAndValidate(t *testing.T) {
 			name: "Pod copy: change command",
 			args: "mypod -it --copy-to=my-debugger --container=mycontainer -- sh",
 			wantOpts: &DebugOptions{
-				Attach:         true,
-				Args:           []string{"sh"},
-				Container:      "mycontainer",
-				CopyTo:         "my-debugger",
-				Interactive:    true,
-				Namespace:      "test",
-				ShareProcesses: true,
-				Profile:        ProfileLegacy,
-				TargetNames:    []string{"mypod"},
-				TTY:            true,
+				Attach:             true,
+				Args:               []string{"sh"},
+				Container:          "mycontainer",
+				CopyTo:             "my-debugger",
+				Interactive:        true,
+				KeepInitContainers: true,
+				Namespace:          "test",
+				ShareProcesses:     true,
+				Profile:            ProfileLegacy,
+				TargetNames:        []string{"mypod"},
+				TTY:                true,
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "Pod copy: change keep options from defaults",
+			args: "mypod -it --image=busybox --copy-to=my-debugger --keep-labels=true --keep-annotations=true --keep-liveness=true --keep-readiness=true --keep-startup=true --keep-init-containers=false",
+			wantOpts: &DebugOptions{
+				Args:               []string{},
+				Attach:             true,
+				CopyTo:             "my-debugger",
+				Image:              "busybox",
+				Interactive:        true,
+				KeepLabels:         true,
+				KeepAnnotations:    true,
+				KeepLiveness:       true,
+				KeepReadiness:      true,
+				KeepStartup:        true,
+				KeepInitContainers: false,
+				Namespace:          "test",
+				ShareProcesses:     true,
+				Profile:            ProfileLegacy,
+				TargetNames:        []string{"mypod"},
+				TTY:                true,
 			},
 		},
 		{
@@ -2740,15 +2875,16 @@ func TestCompleteAndValidate(t *testing.T) {
 			name: "Node: interactive session minimal args",
 			args: "node/mynode -it --image=busybox",
 			wantOpts: &DebugOptions{
-				Args:           []string{},
-				Attach:         true,
-				Image:          "busybox",
-				Interactive:    true,
-				Namespace:      "test",
-				ShareProcesses: true,
-				Profile:        ProfileLegacy,
-				TargetNames:    []string{"node/mynode"},
-				TTY:            true,
+				Args:               []string{},
+				Attach:             true,
+				Image:              "busybox",
+				Interactive:        true,
+				KeepInitContainers: true,
+				Namespace:          "test",
+				ShareProcesses:     true,
+				Profile:            ProfileLegacy,
+				TargetNames:        []string{"node/mynode"},
+				TTY:                true,
 			},
 		},
 		{
diff --git a/staging/src/k8s.io/kubectl/pkg/cmd/debug/profiles.go b/staging/src/k8s.io/kubectl/pkg/cmd/debug/profiles.go
index 2e0f8621ee7..4f6ef2f5ffa 100644
--- a/staging/src/k8s.io/kubectl/pkg/cmd/debug/profiles.go
+++ b/staging/src/k8s.io/kubectl/pkg/cmd/debug/profiles.go
@@ -64,54 +64,91 @@ type ProfileApplier interface {
 }
 
 // NewProfileApplier returns a new Options for the given profile name.
-func NewProfileApplier(profile string) (ProfileApplier, error) {
+func NewProfileApplier(profile string, kflags KeepFlags) (ProfileApplier, error) {
 	switch profile {
 	case ProfileLegacy:
-		return &legacyProfile{}, nil
+		return &legacyProfile{kflags}, nil
 	case ProfileGeneral:
-		return &generalProfile{}, nil
+		return &generalProfile{kflags}, nil
 	case ProfileBaseline:
-		return &baselineProfile{}, nil
+		return &baselineProfile{kflags}, nil
 	case ProfileRestricted:
-		return &restrictedProfile{}, nil
+		return &restrictedProfile{kflags}, nil
 	case ProfileNetadmin:
-		return &netadminProfile{}, nil
+		return &netadminProfile{kflags}, nil
 	case ProfileSysadmin:
-		return &sysadminProfile{}, nil
+		return &sysadminProfile{kflags}, nil
 	}
-
 	return nil, fmt.Errorf("unknown profile: %s", profile)
 }
 
 type legacyProfile struct {
+	KeepFlags
 }
 
 type generalProfile struct {
+	KeepFlags
 }
 
 type baselineProfile struct {
+	KeepFlags
 }
 
 type restrictedProfile struct {
+	KeepFlags
 }
 
 type netadminProfile struct {
+	KeepFlags
 }
 
 type sysadminProfile struct {
+	KeepFlags
 }
 
-func (p *legacyProfile) Apply(pod *corev1.Pod, containerName string, target runtime.Object) error {
-	switch target.(type) {
-	case *corev1.Pod:
-		// do nothing to the copied pod
-		return nil
-	case *corev1.Node:
-		mountRootPartition(pod, containerName)
-		useHostNamespaces(pod)
-		return nil
-	default:
-		return fmt.Errorf("the %s profile doesn't support objects of type %T", ProfileLegacy, target)
+// KeepFlags holds the flag set that determine which fields to keep in the copy pod.
+type KeepFlags struct {
+	Labels         bool
+	Annotations    bool
+	Liveness       bool
+	Readiness      bool
+	Startup        bool
+	InitContainers bool
+}
+
+// RemoveLabels removes labels from the pod.
+func (kflags KeepFlags) RemoveLabels(p *corev1.Pod) {
+	if !kflags.Labels {
+		p.Labels = nil
+	}
+}
+
+// RemoveAnnotations remove annotations from the pod.
+func (kflags KeepFlags) RemoveAnnotations(p *corev1.Pod) {
+	if !kflags.Annotations {
+		p.Annotations = nil
+	}
+}
+
+// RemoveProbes remove probes from all containers of the pod.
+func (kflags KeepFlags) RemoveProbes(p *corev1.Pod) {
+	for i := range p.Spec.Containers {
+		if !kflags.Liveness {
+			p.Spec.Containers[i].LivenessProbe = nil
+		}
+		if !kflags.Readiness {
+			p.Spec.Containers[i].ReadinessProbe = nil
+		}
+		if !kflags.Startup {
+			p.Spec.Containers[i].StartupProbe = nil
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// RemoveInitContainers remove initContainers from the pod.
+func (kflags KeepFlags) RemoveInitContainers(p *corev1.Pod) {
+	if !kflags.InitContainers {
+		p.Spec.InitContainers = nil
 	}
 }
 
@@ -130,10 +167,32 @@ func getDebugStyle(pod *corev1.Pod, target runtime.Object) (debugStyle, error) {
 	return unsupported, fmt.Errorf("objects of type %T are not supported", target)
 }
 
+func (p *legacyProfile) Apply(pod *corev1.Pod, containerName string, target runtime.Object) error {
+	style, err := getDebugStyle(pod, target)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("legacy profile: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	switch style {
+	case node:
+		mountRootPartition(pod, containerName)
+		useHostNamespaces(pod)
+
+	case podCopy:
+		p.Labels = false
+		p.RemoveLabels(pod)
+
+	case ephemeral:
+		// no additional modifications needed
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (p *generalProfile) Apply(pod *corev1.Pod, containerName string, target runtime.Object) error {
 	style, err := getDebugStyle(pod, target)
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("general profile: %s", err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("general profile: %w", err)
 	}
 
 	switch style {
@@ -143,7 +202,10 @@ func (p *generalProfile) Apply(pod *corev1.Pod, containerName string, target run
 		useHostNamespaces(pod)
 
 	case podCopy:
-		removeLabelsAndProbes(pod)
+		p.RemoveLabels(pod)
+		p.RemoveAnnotations(pod)
+		p.RemoveProbes(pod)
+		p.RemoveInitContainers(pod)
 		allowProcessTracing(pod, containerName)
 		shareProcessNamespace(pod)
 
@@ -157,14 +219,17 @@ func (p *generalProfile) Apply(pod *corev1.Pod, containerName string, target run
 func (p *baselineProfile) Apply(pod *corev1.Pod, containerName string, target runtime.Object) error {
 	style, err := getDebugStyle(pod, target)
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("baseline profile: %s", err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("baseline profile: %w", err)
 	}
 
 	clearSecurityContext(pod, containerName)
 
 	switch style {
 	case podCopy:
-		removeLabelsAndProbes(pod)
+		p.RemoveLabels(pod)
+		p.RemoveAnnotations(pod)
+		p.RemoveProbes(pod)
+		p.RemoveInitContainers(pod)
 		shareProcessNamespace(pod)
 
 	case ephemeral, node:
@@ -177,7 +242,7 @@ func (p *baselineProfile) Apply(pod *corev1.Pod, containerName string, target ru
 func (p *restrictedProfile) Apply(pod *corev1.Pod, containerName string, target runtime.Object) error {
 	style, err := getDebugStyle(pod, target)
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("restricted profile: %s", err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("restricted profile: %w", err)
 	}
 
 	clearSecurityContext(pod, containerName)
@@ -188,6 +253,10 @@ func (p *restrictedProfile) Apply(pod *corev1.Pod, containerName string, target
 
 	switch style {
 	case podCopy:
+		p.RemoveLabels(pod)
+		p.RemoveAnnotations(pod)
+		p.RemoveProbes(pod)
+		p.RemoveInitContainers(pod)
 		shareProcessNamespace(pod)
 
 	case ephemeral, node:
@@ -200,7 +269,7 @@ func (p *restrictedProfile) Apply(pod *corev1.Pod, containerName string, target
 func (p *netadminProfile) Apply(pod *corev1.Pod, containerName string, target runtime.Object) error {
 	style, err := getDebugStyle(pod, target)
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("netadmin profile: %s", err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("netadmin profile: %w", err)
 	}
 
 	allowNetadminCapability(pod, containerName)
@@ -210,6 +279,10 @@ func (p *netadminProfile) Apply(pod *corev1.Pod, containerName string, target ru
 		useHostNamespaces(pod)
 
 	case podCopy:
+		p.RemoveLabels(pod)
+		p.RemoveAnnotations(pod)
+		p.RemoveProbes(pod)
+		p.RemoveInitContainers(pod)
 		shareProcessNamespace(pod)
 
 	case ephemeral:
@@ -222,7 +295,7 @@ func (p *netadminProfile) Apply(pod *corev1.Pod, containerName string, target ru
 func (p *sysadminProfile) Apply(pod *corev1.Pod, containerName string, target runtime.Object) error {
 	style, err := getDebugStyle(pod, target)
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("sysadmin profile: %s", err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("sysadmin profile: %w", err)
 	}
 
 	setPrivileged(pod, containerName)
@@ -234,7 +307,12 @@ func (p *sysadminProfile) Apply(pod *corev1.Pod, containerName string, target ru
 
 	case podCopy:
 		// to mimic general, default and baseline
+		p.RemoveLabels(pod)
+		p.RemoveAnnotations(pod)
+		p.RemoveProbes(pod)
+		p.RemoveInitContainers(pod)
 		shareProcessNamespace(pod)
+
 	case ephemeral:
 		// no additional modifications needed
 	}
@@ -242,17 +320,6 @@ func (p *sysadminProfile) Apply(pod *corev1.Pod, containerName string, target ru
 	return nil
 }
 
-// removeLabelsAndProbes removes labels from the pod and remove probes
-// from all containers of the pod.
-func removeLabelsAndProbes(p *corev1.Pod) {
-	p.Labels = nil
-	for i := range p.Spec.Containers {
-		p.Spec.Containers[i].LivenessProbe = nil
-		p.Spec.Containers[i].ReadinessProbe = nil
-		p.Spec.Containers[i].StartupProbe = nil
-	}
-}
-
 // mountRootPartition mounts the host's root path at "/host" in the container.
 func mountRootPartition(p *corev1.Pod, containerName string) {
 	const volumeName = "host-root"
diff --git a/staging/src/k8s.io/kubectl/pkg/cmd/debug/profiles_test.go b/staging/src/k8s.io/kubectl/pkg/cmd/debug/profiles_test.go
index 8d76ab642a1..c10d0842e10 100644
--- a/staging/src/k8s.io/kubectl/pkg/cmd/debug/profiles_test.go
+++ b/staging/src/k8s.io/kubectl/pkg/cmd/debug/profiles_test.go
@@ -34,6 +34,203 @@ var testNode = &corev1.Node{
 	},
 }
 
+func TestLegacyProfile(t *testing.T) {
+	pod := &corev1.Pod{
+		ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: "pod"},
+		Spec: corev1.PodSpec{EphemeralContainers: []corev1.EphemeralContainer{
+			{
+				EphemeralContainerCommon: corev1.EphemeralContainerCommon{
+					Name: "dbg", Image: "dbgimage",
+				},
+			},
+		}},
+	}
+
+	tests := map[string]struct {
+		pod           *corev1.Pod
+		containerName string
+		target        runtime.Object
+		expectPod     *corev1.Pod
+		expectErr     bool
+	}{
+		"bad inputs results in error": {
+			pod:           nil,
+			containerName: "dbg",
+			target:        runtime.Object(nil),
+			expectErr:     true,
+		},
+		"debug by ephemeral container": {
+			pod:           pod,
+			containerName: "dbg",
+			target:        pod,
+			expectPod: &corev1.Pod{
+				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: "pod"},
+				Spec: corev1.PodSpec{EphemeralContainers: []corev1.EphemeralContainer{
+					{
+						EphemeralContainerCommon: corev1.EphemeralContainerCommon{Name: "dbg", Image: "dbgimage"},
+					},
+				}},
+			},
+		},
+		"debug by pod copy": {
+			pod: &corev1.Pod{
+				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
+					Name: "podcopy",
+					Labels: map[string]string{
+						"app": "podcopy",
+					},
+					Annotations: map[string]string{
+						"test": "test",
+					},
+				},
+				Spec: corev1.PodSpec{
+					InitContainers: []corev1.Container{{Name: "init-container"}},
+					Containers: []corev1.Container{
+						{
+							Name:           "app",
+							Image:          "appimage",
+							LivenessProbe:  &corev1.Probe{},
+							ReadinessProbe: &corev1.Probe{},
+							StartupProbe:   &corev1.Probe{},
+						},
+						{
+							Name:  "dbg",
+							Image: "dbgimage",
+							SecurityContext: &corev1.SecurityContext{
+								Capabilities: &corev1.Capabilities{
+									Add: []corev1.Capability{"NET_ADMIN"},
+								},
+							},
+						},
+					},
+				},
+			},
+			containerName: "dbg",
+			target: &corev1.Pod{
+				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
+					Name: "podcopy",
+					Labels: map[string]string{
+						"app": "podcopy",
+					},
+					Annotations: map[string]string{
+						"test": "test",
+					},
+				},
+				Spec: corev1.PodSpec{
+					InitContainers: []corev1.Container{{Name: "init-container"}},
+					Containers: []corev1.Container{
+						{
+							Name:           "app",
+							Image:          "appimage",
+							LivenessProbe:  &corev1.Probe{},
+							ReadinessProbe: &corev1.Probe{},
+							StartupProbe:   &corev1.Probe{},
+						},
+					},
+				},
+			},
+			expectPod: &corev1.Pod{
+				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
+					Name: "podcopy",
+					Annotations: map[string]string{
+						"test": "test",
+					},
+				},
+				Spec: corev1.PodSpec{
+					InitContainers: []corev1.Container{{Name: "init-container"}},
+					Containers: []corev1.Container{
+						{
+							Name:           "app",
+							Image:          "appimage",
+							LivenessProbe:  &corev1.Probe{},
+							ReadinessProbe: &corev1.Probe{},
+							StartupProbe:   &corev1.Probe{},
+						},
+						{
+							Name:  "dbg",
+							Image: "dbgimage",
+							SecurityContext: &corev1.SecurityContext{
+								Capabilities: &corev1.Capabilities{
+									Add: []corev1.Capability{"NET_ADMIN"},
+								},
+							},
+						},
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		},
+		"debug by node": {
+			pod: &corev1.Pod{
+				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: "pod"},
+				Spec: corev1.PodSpec{
+					Containers: []corev1.Container{
+						{
+							Name:  "dbg",
+							Image: "dbgimage",
+							SecurityContext: &corev1.SecurityContext{
+								Capabilities: &corev1.Capabilities{
+									Add: []corev1.Capability{"NET_ADMIN"},
+								},
+							},
+						},
+					},
+				},
+			},
+			containerName: "dbg",
+			target:        testNode,
+			expectPod: &corev1.Pod{
+				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: "pod"},
+				Spec: corev1.PodSpec{
+					HostNetwork: true,
+					HostPID:     true,
+					HostIPC:     true,
+					Containers: []corev1.Container{
+						{
+							Name:  "dbg",
+							Image: "dbgimage",
+							SecurityContext: &corev1.SecurityContext{
+								Capabilities: &corev1.Capabilities{
+									Add: []corev1.Capability{"NET_ADMIN"},
+								},
+							},
+							VolumeMounts: []corev1.VolumeMount{
+								{
+									MountPath: "/host",
+									Name:      "host-root",
+								},
+							},
+						},
+					},
+					Volumes: []corev1.Volume{
+						{
+							Name: "host-root",
+							VolumeSource: corev1.VolumeSource{
+								HostPath: &corev1.HostPathVolumeSource{Path: "/"},
+							},
+						},
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		},
+	}
+
+	for name, test := range tests {
+		t.Run(name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			applier := &legacyProfile{KeepFlags{InitContainers: true}}
+			err := applier.Apply(test.pod, test.containerName, test.target)
+			if (err != nil) != test.expectErr {
+				t.Fatalf("expect error: %v, got error: %v", test.expectErr, (err != nil))
+			}
+			if err != nil {
+				return
+			}
+			if diff := cmp.Diff(test.expectPod, test.pod); diff != "" {
+				t.Error("unexpected diff in generated object: (-want +got):\n", diff)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 func TestGeneralProfile(t *testing.T) {
 	pod := &corev1.Pod{
 		ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: "pod"},
@@ -81,10 +278,25 @@ func TestGeneralProfile(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		"debug by pod copy": {
 			pod: &corev1.Pod{
-				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: "podcopy"},
+				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
+					Name: "podcopy",
+					Labels: map[string]string{
+						"app": "podcopy",
+					},
+					Annotations: map[string]string{
+						"test": "test",
+					},
+				},
 				Spec: corev1.PodSpec{
+					InitContainers: []corev1.Container{{Name: "init-container"}},
 					Containers: []corev1.Container{
-						{Name: "app", Image: "appimage"},
+						{
+							Name:           "app",
+							Image:          "appimage",
+							LivenessProbe:  &corev1.Probe{},
+							ReadinessProbe: &corev1.Probe{},
+							StartupProbe:   &corev1.Probe{},
+						},
 						{
 							Name:  "dbg",
 							Image: "dbgimage",
@@ -99,16 +311,32 @@ func TestGeneralProfile(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 			containerName: "dbg",
 			target: &corev1.Pod{
-				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: "podcopy"},
+				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
+					Name: "podcopy",
+					Labels: map[string]string{
+						"app": "podcopy",
+					},
+					Annotations: map[string]string{
+						"test": "test",
+					},
+				},
 				Spec: corev1.PodSpec{
+					InitContainers: []corev1.Container{{Name: "init-container"}},
 					Containers: []corev1.Container{
-						{Name: "app", Image: "appimage"},
+						{
+							Name:           "app",
+							Image:          "appimage",
+							LivenessProbe:  &corev1.Probe{},
+							ReadinessProbe: &corev1.Probe{},
+							StartupProbe:   &corev1.Probe{},
+						},
 					},
 				},
 			},
 			expectPod: &corev1.Pod{
 				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: "podcopy"},
 				Spec: corev1.PodSpec{
+					InitContainers: []corev1.Container{{Name: "init-container"}},
 					Containers: []corev1.Container{
 						{Name: "app", Image: "appimage"},
 						{
@@ -169,7 +397,8 @@ func TestGeneralProfile(t *testing.T) {
 
 	for name, test := range tests {
 		t.Run(name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			err := (&generalProfile{}).Apply(test.pod, test.containerName, test.target)
+			applier := &generalProfile{KeepFlags{InitContainers: true}}
+			err := applier.Apply(test.pod, test.containerName, test.target)
 			if (err != nil) != test.expectErr {
 				t.Fatalf("expect error: %v, got error: %v", test.expectErr, (err != nil))
 			}
@@ -230,20 +459,50 @@ func TestBaselineProfile(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		"debug by pod copy": {
 			pod: &corev1.Pod{
-				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: "podcopy"},
+				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
+					Name: "podcopy",
+					Labels: map[string]string{
+						"app": "podcopy",
+					},
+					Annotations: map[string]string{
+						"test": "test",
+					},
+				},
 				Spec: corev1.PodSpec{
+					InitContainers: []corev1.Container{{Name: "init-container"}},
 					Containers: []corev1.Container{
-						{Name: "app", Image: "appimage"},
+						{
+							Name:           "app",
+							Image:          "appimage",
+							LivenessProbe:  &corev1.Probe{},
+							ReadinessProbe: &corev1.Probe{},
+							StartupProbe:   &corev1.Probe{},
+						},
 						{Name: "dbg", Image: "dbgimage"},
 					},
 				},
 			},
 			containerName: "dbg",
 			target: &corev1.Pod{
-				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: "podcopy"},
+				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
+					Name: "podcopy",
+					Labels: map[string]string{
+						"app": "podcopy",
+					},
+					Annotations: map[string]string{
+						"test": "test",
+					},
+				},
 				Spec: corev1.PodSpec{
+					InitContainers: []corev1.Container{{Name: "init-container"}},
 					Containers: []corev1.Container{
-						{Name: "app", Image: "appimage"},
+						{
+							Name:           "app",
+							Image:          "appimage",
+							LivenessProbe:  &corev1.Probe{},
+							ReadinessProbe: &corev1.Probe{},
+							StartupProbe:   &corev1.Probe{},
+						},
 					},
 				},
 			},
@@ -251,6 +510,7 @@ func TestBaselineProfile(t *testing.T) {
 				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: "podcopy"},
 				Spec: corev1.PodSpec{
 					ShareProcessNamespace: pointer.Bool(true),
+					InitContainers:        []corev1.Container{{Name: "init-container"}},
 					Containers: []corev1.Container{
 						{Name: "app", Image: "appimage"},
 						{
@@ -288,7 +548,8 @@ func TestBaselineProfile(t *testing.T) {
 
 	for name, test := range tests {
 		t.Run(name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			err := (&baselineProfile{}).Apply(test.pod, test.containerName, test.target)
+			applier := &baselineProfile{KeepFlags{InitContainers: true}}
+			err := applier.Apply(test.pod, test.containerName, test.target)
 			if (err != nil) != test.expectErr {
 				t.Fatalf("expect error: %v, got error: %v", test.expectErr, (err != nil))
 			}
@@ -357,20 +618,50 @@ func TestRestrictedProfile(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		"debug by pod copy": {
 			pod: &corev1.Pod{
-				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: "podcopy"},
+				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
+					Name: "podcopy",
+					Labels: map[string]string{
+						"app": "podcopy",
+					},
+					Annotations: map[string]string{
+						"test": "test",
+					},
+				},
 				Spec: corev1.PodSpec{
+					InitContainers: []corev1.Container{{Name: "init-container"}},
 					Containers: []corev1.Container{
-						{Name: "app", Image: "appimage"},
+						{
+							Name:           "app",
+							Image:          "appimage",
+							LivenessProbe:  &corev1.Probe{},
+							ReadinessProbe: &corev1.Probe{},
+							StartupProbe:   &corev1.Probe{},
+						},
 						{Name: "dbg", Image: "dbgimage"},
 					},
 				},
 			},
 			containerName: "dbg",
 			target: &corev1.Pod{
-				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: "podcopy"},
+				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
+					Name: "podcopy",
+					Labels: map[string]string{
+						"app": "podcopy",
+					},
+					Annotations: map[string]string{
+						"test": "test",
+					},
+				},
 				Spec: corev1.PodSpec{
+					InitContainers: []corev1.Container{{Name: "init-container"}},
 					Containers: []corev1.Container{
-						{Name: "app", Image: "appimage"},
+						{
+							Name:           "app",
+							Image:          "appimage",
+							LivenessProbe:  &corev1.Probe{},
+							ReadinessProbe: &corev1.Probe{},
+							StartupProbe:   &corev1.Probe{},
+						},
 					},
 				},
 			},
@@ -378,6 +669,7 @@ func TestRestrictedProfile(t *testing.T) {
 				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: "podcopy"},
 				Spec: corev1.PodSpec{
 					ShareProcessNamespace: pointer.Bool(true),
+					InitContainers:        []corev1.Container{{Name: "init-container"}},
 					Containers: []corev1.Container{
 						{Name: "app", Image: "appimage"},
 						{
@@ -441,7 +733,8 @@ func TestRestrictedProfile(t *testing.T) {
 
 	for name, test := range tests {
 		t.Run(name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			err := (&restrictedProfile{}).Apply(test.pod, test.containerName, test.target)
+			applier := &restrictedProfile{KeepFlags{InitContainers: true}}
+			err := applier.Apply(test.pod, test.containerName, test.target)
 			if (err != nil) != test.expectErr {
 				t.Fatalf("expect error: %v, got error: %v", test.expectErr, (err != nil))
 			}
@@ -506,20 +799,50 @@ func TestNetAdminProfile(t *testing.T) {
 		{
 			name: "debug by pod copy",
 			pod: &corev1.Pod{
-				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: "podcopy"},
+				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
+					Name: "podcopy",
+					Labels: map[string]string{
+						"app": "podcopy",
+					},
+					Annotations: map[string]string{
+						"test": "test",
+					},
+				},
 				Spec: corev1.PodSpec{
+					InitContainers: []corev1.Container{{Name: "init-container"}},
 					Containers: []corev1.Container{
-						{Name: "app", Image: "appimage"},
+						{
+							Name:           "app",
+							Image:          "appimage",
+							LivenessProbe:  &corev1.Probe{},
+							ReadinessProbe: &corev1.Probe{},
+							StartupProbe:   &corev1.Probe{},
+						},
 						{Name: "dbg", Image: "dbgimage"},
 					},
 				},
 			},
 			containerName: "dbg",
 			target: &corev1.Pod{
-				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: "podcopy"},
+				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
+					Name: "podcopy",
+					Labels: map[string]string{
+						"app": "podcopy",
+					},
+					Annotations: map[string]string{
+						"test": "test",
+					},
+				},
 				Spec: corev1.PodSpec{
+					InitContainers: []corev1.Container{{Name: "init-container"}},
 					Containers: []corev1.Container{
-						{Name: "app", Image: "appimage"},
+						{
+							Name:           "app",
+							Image:          "appimage",
+							LivenessProbe:  &corev1.Probe{},
+							ReadinessProbe: &corev1.Probe{},
+							StartupProbe:   &corev1.Probe{},
+						},
 					},
 				},
 			},
@@ -527,6 +850,7 @@ func TestNetAdminProfile(t *testing.T) {
 				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: "podcopy"},
 				Spec: corev1.PodSpec{
 					ShareProcessNamespace: pointer.Bool(true),
+					InitContainers:        []corev1.Container{{Name: "init-container"}},
 					Containers: []corev1.Container{
 						{Name: "app", Image: "appimage"},
 						{
@@ -548,7 +872,13 @@ func TestNetAdminProfile(t *testing.T) {
 				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: "podcopy"},
 				Spec: corev1.PodSpec{
 					Containers: []corev1.Container{
-						{Name: "app", Image: "appimage"},
+						{
+							Name:           "app",
+							Image:          "appimage",
+							LivenessProbe:  &corev1.Probe{},
+							ReadinessProbe: &corev1.Probe{},
+							StartupProbe:   &corev1.Probe{},
+						},
 						{
 							Name:  "dbg",
 							Image: "dbgimage",
@@ -566,7 +896,13 @@ func TestNetAdminProfile(t *testing.T) {
 				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: "podcopy"},
 				Spec: corev1.PodSpec{
 					Containers: []corev1.Container{
-						{Name: "app", Image: "appimage"},
+						{
+							Name:           "app",
+							Image:          "appimage",
+							LivenessProbe:  &corev1.Probe{},
+							ReadinessProbe: &corev1.Probe{},
+							StartupProbe:   &corev1.Probe{},
+						},
 					},
 				},
 			},
@@ -665,7 +1001,8 @@ func TestNetAdminProfile(t *testing.T) {
 
 	for _, test := range tests {
 		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			err := (&netadminProfile{}).Apply(test.pod, test.containerName, test.target)
+			applier := &netadminProfile{KeepFlags{InitContainers: true}}
+			err := applier.Apply(test.pod, test.containerName, test.target)
 			if (err == nil) != (test.expectErr == nil) || (err != nil && test.expectErr != nil && err.Error() != test.expectErr.Error()) {
 				t.Fatalf("expect error: %v, got error: %v", test.expectErr, err)
 			}
@@ -728,26 +1065,57 @@ func TestSysAdminProfile(t *testing.T) {
 		{
 			name: "debug by pod copy",
 			pod: &corev1.Pod{
-				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: "podcopy"},
+				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
+					Name: "podcopy",
+					Labels: map[string]string{
+						"app": "podcopy",
+					},
+					Annotations: map[string]string{
+						"test": "test",
+					},
+				},
 				Spec: corev1.PodSpec{
+					InitContainers: []corev1.Container{{Name: "init-container"}},
 					Containers: []corev1.Container{
-						{Name: "app", Image: "appimage"},
+						{
+							Name:           "app",
+							Image:          "appimage",
+							LivenessProbe:  &corev1.Probe{},
+							ReadinessProbe: &corev1.Probe{},
+							StartupProbe:   &corev1.Probe{},
+						},
 						{Name: "dbg", Image: "dbgimage"},
 					},
 				},
 			},
 			containerName: "dbg",
 			target: &corev1.Pod{
-				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: "podcopy"},
+				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
+					Name: "podcopy",
+					Labels: map[string]string{
+						"app": "podcopy",
+					},
+					Annotations: map[string]string{
+						"test": "test",
+					},
+				},
 				Spec: corev1.PodSpec{
+					InitContainers: []corev1.Container{{Name: "init-container"}},
 					Containers: []corev1.Container{
-						{Name: "app", Image: "appimage"},
+						{
+							Name:           "app",
+							Image:          "appimage",
+							LivenessProbe:  &corev1.Probe{},
+							ReadinessProbe: &corev1.Probe{},
+							StartupProbe:   &corev1.Probe{},
+						},
 					},
 				},
 			},
 			expectPod: &corev1.Pod{
 				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: "podcopy"},
 				Spec: corev1.PodSpec{
+					InitContainers: []corev1.Container{{Name: "init-container"}},
 					Containers: []corev1.Container{
 						{Name: "app", Image: "appimage"},
 						{
@@ -768,7 +1136,13 @@ func TestSysAdminProfile(t *testing.T) {
 				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: "podcopy"},
 				Spec: corev1.PodSpec{
 					Containers: []corev1.Container{
-						{Name: "app", Image: "appimage"},
+						{
+							Name:           "app",
+							Image:          "appimage",
+							LivenessProbe:  &corev1.Probe{},
+							ReadinessProbe: &corev1.Probe{},
+							StartupProbe:   &corev1.Probe{},
+						},
 						{
 							Name:  "dbg",
 							Image: "dbgimage",
@@ -786,7 +1160,13 @@ func TestSysAdminProfile(t *testing.T) {
 				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: "podcopy"},
 				Spec: corev1.PodSpec{
 					Containers: []corev1.Container{
-						{Name: "app", Image: "appimage"},
+						{
+							Name:           "app",
+							Image:          "appimage",
+							LivenessProbe:  &corev1.Probe{},
+							ReadinessProbe: &corev1.Probe{},
+							StartupProbe:   &corev1.Probe{},
+						},
 					},
 				},
 			},
@@ -899,7 +1279,8 @@ func TestSysAdminProfile(t *testing.T) {
 
 	for _, test := range tests {
 		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			err := (&sysadminProfile{}).Apply(test.pod, test.containerName, test.target)
+			applier := &sysadminProfile{KeepFlags{InitContainers: true}}
+			err := applier.Apply(test.pod, test.containerName, test.target)
 			if (err == nil) != (test.expectErr == nil) || (err != nil && test.expectErr != nil && err.Error() != test.expectErr.Error()) {
 				t.Fatalf("expect error: %v, got error: %v", test.expectErr, err)
 			}
diff --git a/test/cmd/debug.sh b/test/cmd/debug.sh
index 73cde0bfd6b..2163eff90a8 100755
--- a/test/cmd/debug.sh
+++ b/test/cmd/debug.sh
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ run_kubectl_debug_pod_tests() {
   kube::log::status "Testing kubectl debug (pod tests)"
 
   ### Pod Troubleshooting by ephemeral containers
-
   # Pre-Condition: Pod "nginx" is created
   kubectl run target "--image=${IMAGE_NGINX:?}" "${kube_flags[@]:?}"
   kube::test::get_object_assert pod "{{range.items}}{{${id_field:?}}}:{{end}}" 'target:'
@@ -38,7 +37,6 @@ run_kubectl_debug_pod_tests() {
   kubectl delete pod target "${kube_flags[@]:?}"
 
   ### Pod Troubleshooting by Copy
-
   # Pre-Condition: Pod "nginx" is created
   kubectl run target "--image=${IMAGE_NGINX:?}" "${kube_flags[@]:?}"
   kube::test::get_object_assert pod "{{range.items}}{{${id_field:?}}}:{{end}}" 'target:'
@@ -51,6 +49,26 @@ run_kubectl_debug_pod_tests() {
   # Clean up
   kubectl delete pod target target-copy "${kube_flags[@]:?}"
 
+  # Pre-Condition: Pod "nginx" with labels, annotations, probes and initContainers is created
+  kubectl create -f hack/testdata/pod-with-metadata-and-probes.yaml
+  kube::test::get_object_assert pod "{{range.items}}{{${id_field:?}}}:{{end}}" 'target:'
+  # Command: create a copy of target with a new debug container with --keep-* flags
+  # --keep-* flags intentionally don't work with legacyProfile(Only labels are removed)
+  kubectl debug target -it --copy-to=target-copy --image=busybox --container=debug-container --keep-labels=true --keep-annotations=true --keep-liveness=true --keep-readiness=true --keep-startup=true --keep-init-containers=false --attach=false "${kube_flags[@]:?}"
+  # Post-Conditions
+  kube::test::get_object_assert pod "{{range.items}}{{${id_field:?}}}:{{end}}" 'target:target-copy:'
+  kube::test::get_object_assert pod/target-copy '{{.metadata.labels}}' '<no value>'
+  kube::test::get_object_assert pod/target-copy '{{.metadata.annotations}}' 'map\[test:test\]'
+  kube::test::get_object_assert pod/target-copy '{{range.spec.containers}}{{.name}}:{{end}}' 'target:debug-container:'
+  kube::test::get_object_assert pod/target-copy '{{range.spec.containers}}{{.image}}:{{end}}' "${IMAGE_NGINX:?}:busybox:"
+  kube::test::get_object_assert pod/target-copy '{{range.spec.containers}}{{if (index . "livenessProbe")}}:{{end}}{{end}}' ':'
+  kube::test::get_object_assert pod/target-copy '{{range.spec.containers}}{{if (index . "readinessProbe")}}:{{end}}{{end}}' ':'
+  kube::test::get_object_assert pod/target-copy '{{range.spec.containers}}{{if (index . "startupProbe")}}:{{end}}{{end}}' ':'
+  kube::test::get_object_assert pod/target-copy '{{range.spec.initContainers}}{{.name}}:{{end}}' 'init:'
+  kube::test::get_object_assert pod/target-copy '{{range.spec.initContainers}}{{.image}}:{{end}}' "busybox:"
+  # Clean up
+  kubectl delete pod target target-copy "${kube_flags[@]:?}"
+
   # Pre-Condition: Pod "nginx" is created
   kubectl run target "--image=${IMAGE_NGINX:?}" "${kube_flags[@]:?}"
   kube::test::get_object_assert pod "{{range.items}}{{${id_field:?}}}:{{end}}" 'target:'
@@ -133,20 +151,44 @@ run_kubectl_debug_general_tests() {
   kube::log::status "Testing kubectl debug profile general"
 
   ### Debug by pod copy
-  ### probes are removed, sets SYS_PTRACE in debugging container, sets shareProcessNamespace
-
-  # Pre-Condition: Pod "nginx" is created
-  kubectl run target "--image=${IMAGE_NGINX:?}" "${kube_flags[@]:?}"
+  # Pre-Condition: Pod "nginx" with labels, annotations, probes and initContainers is created
+  kubectl create -f hack/testdata/pod-with-metadata-and-probes.yaml
   kube::test::get_object_assert pod "{{range.items}}{{${id_field:?}}}:{{end}}" 'target:'
   # Command: create a copy of target with a new debug container
+  # labels, annotations, probes are removed and initContainers are kept, sets SYS_PTRACE in debugging container, sets shareProcessNamespace
   kubectl debug --profile general target -it --copy-to=target-copy --image=busybox --container=debug-container --attach=false "${kube_flags[@]:?}"
   # Post-Conditions
   kube::test::get_object_assert pod "{{range.items}}{{${id_field:?}}}:{{end}}" 'target:target-copy:'
+  kube::test::get_object_assert pod/target-copy '{{.metadata.labels}}' '<no value>'
+  kube::test::get_object_assert pod/target-copy '{{.metadata.annotations}}' '<no value>'
   kube::test::get_object_assert pod/target-copy '{{range.spec.containers}}{{.name}}:{{end}}' 'target:debug-container:'
   kube::test::get_object_assert pod/target-copy '{{range.spec.containers}}{{.image}}:{{end}}' "${IMAGE_NGINX:?}:busybox:"
   kube::test::get_object_assert pod/target-copy '{{range.spec.containers}}{{if (index . "livenessProbe")}}:{{end}}{{end}}' ''
   kube::test::get_object_assert pod/target-copy '{{range.spec.containers}}{{if (index . "readinessProbe")}}:{{end}}{{end}}' ''
   kube::test::get_object_assert pod/target-copy '{{range.spec.containers}}{{if (index . "startupProbe")}}:{{end}}{{end}}' ''
+  kube::test::get_object_assert pod/target-copy '{{range.spec.initContainers}}{{.name}}:{{end}}' 'init:'
+  kube::test::get_object_assert pod/target-copy '{{range.spec.initContainers}}{{.image}}:{{end}}' "busybox:"
+  kube::test::get_object_assert pod/target-copy '{{(index (index .spec.containers 1).securityContext.capabilities.add 0)}}' 'SYS_PTRACE'
+  kube::test::get_object_assert pod/target-copy '{{.spec.shareProcessNamespace}}' 'true'
+  # Clean up
+  kubectl delete pod target target-copy "${kube_flags[@]:?}"
+
+  # Pre-Condition: Pod "nginx" with labels, annotations, probes and initContainers is created
+  kubectl create -f hack/testdata/pod-with-metadata-and-probes.yaml
+  kube::test::get_object_assert pod "{{range.items}}{{${id_field:?}}}:{{end}}" 'target:'
+  # Command: create a copy of target with a new debug container with --keep-* flags
+  # labels, annotations, probes are kept and initContainers are removed, sets SYS_PTRACE in debugging container, sets shareProcessNamespace
+  kubectl debug --profile general target -it --copy-to=target-copy --image=busybox --container=debug-container --keep-labels=true --keep-annotations=true --keep-liveness=true --keep-readiness=true --keep-startup=true --keep-init-containers=false --attach=false "${kube_flags[@]:?}"
+  # Post-Conditions
+  kube::test::get_object_assert pod "{{range.items}}{{${id_field:?}}}:{{end}}" 'target:target-copy:'
+  kube::test::get_object_assert pod/target-copy '{{.metadata.labels}}' 'map\[run:target\]'
+  kube::test::get_object_assert pod/target-copy '{{.metadata.annotations}}' 'map\[test:test\]'
+  kube::test::get_object_assert pod/target-copy '{{range.spec.containers}}{{.name}}:{{end}}' 'target:debug-container:'
+  kube::test::get_object_assert pod/target-copy '{{range.spec.containers}}{{.image}}:{{end}}' "${IMAGE_NGINX:?}:busybox:"
+  kube::test::get_object_assert pod/target-copy '{{range.spec.containers}}{{if (index . "livenessProbe")}}:{{end}}{{end}}' ':'
+  kube::test::get_object_assert pod/target-copy '{{range.spec.containers}}{{if (index . "readinessProbe")}}:{{end}}{{end}}' ':'
+  kube::test::get_object_assert pod/target-copy '{{range.spec.containers}}{{if (index . "startupProbe")}}:{{end}}{{end}}' ':'
+  kube::test::get_object_assert pod/target-copy '{{.spec.initContainers}}' '<no value>'
   kube::test::get_object_assert pod/target-copy '{{(index (index .spec.containers 1).securityContext.capabilities.add 0)}}' 'SYS_PTRACE'
   kube::test::get_object_assert pod/target-copy '{{.spec.shareProcessNamespace}}' 'true'
   # Clean up