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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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Commissars are invariably stern and uncompromising individuals, able to keep even the most anarchic regiments in line through fear, strength and power. Every regiment has one or more attached Commissars who remain with the regiment throughout its duties. Commissars are assigned to regiments by the [[Departmento Munitorum]]'s [[Commissariat]] department, which provides high-ranking commanders to Imperial Guard armies. They have authority over both the soldiers and regimental officers. Commissars have both the right and duty to immediately execute any Imperial guardsman or officer who shows cowardice or incompetence in battle. They must also ensure the regiment does not harbor the likes of [[Genestealer Cult]]ists, [[Chaos]] heretics, spies, or [[mutant]]s.{{Fn|18}}{{Fn|1a}}
Personnel selected to become cadet Commissars are drawn from the [[Schola Progenium]] - [[Ecclesiarchy]]-run schools where the pupils have already received a strict [[Imperial Cult]] education. The training of Cadet Commissars lasts for an indeterminate length of time, and their advancement depends entirely upon the judgment of the full/senior Commissar responsible for their development. Training may involve deployment as part of a '''Commissar Training Squad'''{{Fn|4}} and/or secondment to an individual full/senior Commissar.{{Cite ThisCME}}
Cadet Commissars can advance to full Commissarial rank in numerous ways including immediate promotion following their grauation of the Schola Progenium, cross-promotion from [[Storm Trooper]] deployments or assignment to a Commisssar for further field training, where after which they can then be promoted or assigned to a further developmental role as a '''Junior Commissar'''.{{Fn|1a}}{{Fn|21a}} Full Commissars can be further advanced to senior roles within the Commissariat such as '''Commissar-Captain'''{{Fn|11}}, '''Lord Commissar'''{{Fn|1a}}, or '''Commissar-General'''.{{Fn|8}} The exact method of advancement to these positions is unclear.
==Commissarial Ranks==
===Cadet Commissars===
Cadet Commissars are given the standard arms and equipment of a [[Guardsman]], although they retain their distinctive uniforms. These uniforms differ from those of a full Commissar by featuring blue trim and a specific Cadet emblem.{{Cite thisCME}}
Their training has no set duration and a Cadet will be graduated as soon as he is deemed worthy. Part of the training of a Cadet-Commissar emphasises learning standard infantry tactics and gaining experience in situations common to standard [[Imperial Guardsmen]]. In order to ensure this, Commissar-Generals may decide to form up the Cadets under their purview into Training Squads, nine Cadets under the command of a specially chosen full Commissar.{{Fn|4}}
===Junior Commissars===
A subordinate role to a full Commissar, a junior aids his senior in overseeing the regiment or ship assigned to the full Commissar, performing adjutant and investigation duties as well as Commissarial ones. Junior Commissars do appear to undertake Commissarial supervision at a regimental (or equivalent) level, starting with smaller formations, such as an individual squad,{{Cite ThisCME}}, or watching over the morale of second-line support units.{{Fn|21b}}
===Commissar===
*{{Endn|2}}: [[Codex: Imperial Guard (3rd Edition, 1st Codex)]], pg. 13
*{{Endn|3}}: [[Final Liberation: Warhammer Epic 40,000]]
*{{Endn|4}}: [[White Dwarf 115 (UK)]] - ''Commissar Training Squads'', reprinted in [[Warhammer 40,000 Compilation]] (1991), {{Cite ThisCME}}*{{Endn|5}}: [[Dark Heresy: The Inquisitor's Handbook]], {{Cite ThisCME}}
*{{Endn|6}}: [[Dark Heresy Core Rulebook]], pg. 260
*{{Endn|7}}: [[A Ghost Return (Short Story)]] — [[Gaunt's Ghosts: The Founding (Omnibus)]]
**{{Endn|9b}}: Chapter One
**{{Endn|9c}}: Chapter Fourteen
*{{Endn|10}}: [[Honour Guard (Novel)]], {{Cite ThisCME}}*{{Endn|11}}: [[Rebel Winter (Novel)]], pg. 52{{Cite ThisCME}}, pg. 52
*12: [[For the Emperor (Novel)]]:
**{{Endn|12a}}: Chapter One
