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1 / 4 · Click to enlargeLore & origins
Commissars are the political officers of the Astra Militarum. They are recruited from the best students of the Schola Progenium, the Imperium's orphanages for the children of fallen servants. Most Schola wards join other branches of the Imperium or the Militarum Tempestus; only the best are recommended to the Officio Prefectus.
A commissar's duty is to preserve the courage, discipline and loyalty of the regiment he serves with. He has absolute authority to punish and execute any member of the regiment who fails his duty, including the commanding officer if necessary. Commissars do not come from the same world as their regiment, which keeps them from local loyalties.
The most famous commissars are not the cruel ones. Yarrick, Cain and Gaunt are heroes because they inspired their troops. Others simply shoot soldiers who falter, and Guardsmen regard commissars with fear, loathing and admiration in equal measure.
Commissars belong to the Officio Prefectus. They are trained in the Schola Progenium alongside future Tempestus Scions and Sisters. They do not command regiments, but they carry authority over everyone in them, up to and including summary execution for cowardice, heresy or failure. Officially, they instil discipline and faith. A good Commissar inspires, and a poor one rules by fear. Promotion runs from cadet-commissar through commissar to senior ranks and the Lord Commissar, who holds sway over whole army groups.
Appearance & wargear
Commissars wear a long dark greatcoat, a peaked cap and polished boots, often over a breastplate. They carry a bolt pistol, a power sword or chainsword, and sometimes a plasma pistol. Many carry personal symbols of authority such as a sash or rosarius.
Commissars are instantly recognisable by their peaked caps, long greatcoats and red sashes. They carry bolt pistols, power swords or chainswords and often bear honour badges and medals.
Weapons & Vehicles
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A volatile directed-energy rifle that hurls bolts of miniature sun-hot plasma capable of vaporising Terminator plate and tank armour—at…
The rugged, ubiquitous directed-energy laser rifle of the Astra Militarum—modest on its own, but capable of felling any foe in the gala…
Explore all 48 entries in the Weapons & Vehicles armoury.
Battlefield role & tactics
A commissar stands with a squad and keeps it in the fight, executing anyone who flees and so steadying the rest. Senior Lord Commissars lead with their own presence, steeling whole regiments.
Attached to a squad or regiment, a Commissar keeps units in the fight and makes them braver in combat. Their presence lets units hold under fire and pushes them into battles they would otherwise flee. A Commissar may execute a soldier to restore order.
Notable battles & users
- Third War for Armageddon: Commissar Yarrick led the defence of Hades Hive against Ghazghkull.
- Tanith First: Commissar Gaunt led the Tanith regiment, the Ghosts, through the Sabbat Worlds Crusade.
- Ciaphas Cain: the Hero of the Imperium, a commissar whose reputation exceeded his own self-assessment.
- Sebastian Yarrick: the Hero of Hive Hades during the Second War for Armageddon, later Commissar-General.
- Ibram Gaunt: the Colonel-Commissar of the Tanith First and Only in Dan Abnett's 'Gaunt's Ghosts' series. He is unusual in holding both command and commissarial roles.
- Ciaphas Cain: the self-styled coward and 'Hero of the Imperium' in Sandy Mitchell's novels, attached to the Valhallan 597th.
Related
Characters (3)
Ciaphas Cain · Commissar, Hero of the Imperium
Sebastian Yarrick · Commissar, Hero of Hades Hive
Ibram Gaunt · Colonel-Commissar of the Tanith First and Only
