Commissioned officer
(Redirected from Warrant officer)
The terms commissioned officer and warrant officer are used, in military service, to refer to individuals who have the authority to issue orders to subordinates.[1]
Historically, a commissioned officer is given that authority in a document, called a commission, nominally signed by the head of state. Warrant officers authority is given by an agency with special authority. For example, in the 18th and 19th century, the Sick and hurt board issued surgeon's warrants to individuals authorized to provide medical care.
Non-commissioned officers relied on authority to give orders to subordinates issued by more senior officers. They remained enlisted individuals.
In recent centuries a commissioned officer is likely to have a university degree.
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ Raymond Oliver (August 1983). "Why is the Colonel called "kernal"? The origin of the ranks and rank insignia now used by the United States armed forces" (PDF). McClellan Aviation Museum. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-05-07. Retrieved 2011-04-22.