A commissioned officer is a member of the national military or armed forces who has been given highly specialized leadership authority. In most cases, a country’s head of state, usually a president or monarch, wields this power. Soldiers who receive a commission have more opportunities for promotion, leadership, and career advancement than enlisted soldiers, and they also have more prestige. While enlisted men and women can rise through the ranks to become commissioned officers, this is a rare occurrence; in most cases, these two tracks operate independently, with different training and advancement requirements.
Primary Differences Between Commissioned and Enlisted Personnel
Soldiers and fighters of two types make up the majority of the world’s militaries. Those who have voluntarily signed up for military service, usually without any prior training or experience, are referred to as “enlisted.” The majority of forces are made up of these people. They do, however, need to be led and directed, which is where commissioned officers come in. To fill these positions, governments typically look for high achievers and proven leaders. A commission is usually a highly competitive and prestigious position, whereas anyone can enlist.
Academies of Public Service
Almost all paths to becoming a commissioned officer begin with training. Attending a national service academy is one of the most direct ways to learn the necessary skills. Students typically focus on military arts as much as, if not more than, traditional academics at these schools, which are often run like universities or graduate school programs. Although admission to these schools is extremely competitive, graduation ensures a commission and a career as a military officer.
Other Training Programs for Officers
Although this option is by far the most popular in the United States, it is also possible to earn a commission by completing an officer training course while pursuing a university education. The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, or ROTC, in the United States recruits and trains university students over the course of their four years of study; those who successfully complete the program earn a commission and can begin working as officers immediately after graduation.
Many countries also offer officer candidates specialized training programs that culminate in a commission. These are typically designed as intensive immersion courses that take a year to complete. There are some exceptions to the rule that candidates must have a college or university degree before being considered for admission. In some cases, enlisted men and women who have been selected for promotion to the rank of officer may participate in this type of training.
Duties and Privileges
Any commissioned officer’s primary responsibility is to command troops. Officers must use their own judgment in developing battle plans and ordering tactical maneuvers, as well as serve as leaders and role models for all soldiers under their command. However, receiving a commission does not exempt an officer from obeying orders. Officers, like enlisted soldiers, have seniority ranks and ladders. Even if he or she is likely to be working without direct supervision, a junior officer must always follow his or her commander’s orders.
A variety of benefits are typically available to commissioned officers as a result of their rank. For example, their housing is usually provided, and their earnings may not be taxed. The higher an officer’s seniority, the more power he has over his assignments and duty stations. However, in most cases, these advantages come at a cost — even the highest-ranking officers are subject to the needs of the force and can be called away or ordered to move at any time.
Rules and Regulations
While many commissioned officers choose to serve full-time, this is not the case for everyone. Commissions are permanent, but the jobs to which they are linked are not. Militaries typically ask officers to sign a contract for a set number of years, after which the officer can choose to renew or retire.
Identifying the Tier and Rank
The rank and status of members of the armed forces are usually displayed on their uniform. The symbols worn by commissioned officers vary by country, but they are typically worn on the breast lapel, shoulders, or both. Those who are familiar with uniform protocol will be able to recognize high-ranking officials and command leaders right away.