The Commissioned officer reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Jul-2004
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Commissioned officer

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A commissioned officer is a member of a military force who holds a commission from a monarch, a political leader, or the government.

Commissioned officers are authorized to use deadly force to carry out the lawful orders of their government, either directly or through orders to non-commissioned officers or soldiers.

Having officers is one requirement for combatant status under the laws of war.

In the United States, there are some commissioned officers who are not members of the military. See uniformed services of the United States, NOAA Corps, and United States Public Health Service.

Table of contents
1 British Commissioned Officer Ranks
2 US Commissioned Officer Ranks
3 See also
4 External links
5 References

British Commissioned Officer Ranks

Army/Royal Marines

Royal Air Force

Royal Navy

US Commissioned Officer Ranks

Army / Air Force / Marine Corps

Navy / Coast Guard

See also

External links

Official sites

References

  1. DoD Almanac. The United States Military Officer Rank Insignia. United States Department of Defense.