Commission, Military, is a written order and oath of service giving an officer rank in the armed services. In the United States, the president commissions officers with the approval of the Senate. An officer accepts the commission voluntarily, and it does not have to be renewed. A commission may be resigned if existing law permits. The president may remove an officer from the commissioned list for cause. An officer—unlike an enlisted soldier—can be punished for unbecoming conduct. A board of officers handles dismissals. The term in commission, when referring to a ship or an aircraft, means that the vessel or airplane is available for active service.
