What is a Commissioned Officer?－zhuxiaohong的部落格

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A commissioned officer is a military officer who holds a commission, a formal government document which vests power in the individual to whom it is issued. Typically, commissions are issued by the head of state; in the British Armed Forces, for example, the Queen or her agents give out commissions, while in the United States, the President hands out commissions, through the United States Congress. Someone who holds a commission is allowed to serve in a command position, in contrast with enlisted members of the military.At one time, commissions were actually purchased by members of the elite when they entered the military with the intent of becoming career officers. Buying a commission could be one way to elevate one's social status, for example, and it ensured that one was kept separate from enlisted soldiers. In the modern era, commissions are awarded on the basis of merit, to people who have completed officer training. In most countries, a commissioned officer also holds a university degree. There are a number of ways to become a commissioned officer. Some people choose to attend military colleges, such as West Point. Others can participate in officer training programs offered through colleges and universities, or they may choose to go to Officer Training School, attending a program which is limited to people who have already graduated from college. It is also possible for a commission to be granted through special circumstances. The ranks of second lieutenant and above in the Army and Marines are reserved for commissioned officers. In the Navy, sub-lieutenants and above are commissioned officers, while Pilot Officers and higher in the Air Force ranks all hold commissions. In some militaries, a warrant officer may also be a commissioned officer. Commissioned officers are responsible for leading the men and women under their care, and they are also expected to act as role models both on the battlefield and off. By tradition, commissioned officers are entitled to salutes and other gestures of respect from other members of the military, and they classically salute each other. In the United Kingdom, where commissioned officers hold a commission from the Queen, the salute is received and returned on behalf of the Queen, rather than on behalf of the officer. It is usually quite easy to tell if a military officer holds a commission, thanks to the fact that all high-grade positions are filled by commissioned officers. For people who are familiar with the rank insignia associated with various armed forces, identifying a commissioned officer is as simple as looking at a soldier's uniform..