They are exceptionally brave and many a seemingly hopeless battle has been turned by a Commissar taking command. Commissars are pious, oft-times self-righteous and unswerving in their purpose. Once ready, they are then assigned by the Commissariat to Imperial Guard regiments whether the regiment in question likes it or not. Even the Colonel of a regiment must be sure to display courage and the proper zeal at all times when a Commissar is watching him or her.Ĭommissars are orphans of parents who were killed serving the Imperium in one of the other Imperial military forces or Adepta who were educated within the Ecclesiarchy 's special orphanage schools, the Schola Progeniumand selected from among those who show fearless faith in their Emperor. In such situations a Commissar can take over command from a regular officer and summarily execute any man who tries to flee. The role of a Commissar is to fight alongside the regiment's regular officers and take control when morale is flagging or the men are not fighting with sufficient zeal. To encourage the men to fight the most horrendous of situations, political officers called Commissars are attached to regiments of the Imperial Guard. The Imperial Guard is exposed on a regular basis to terrible threats which can shake the resolve of even the most steel-hearted veteran, from bizarre aliens to the terrifying inhabitants of the Warp.

Our triumphs and tragedies are the heat by which we are tempered into weapons fit for his service.

Death korps of krieg soldier