The Certificate of Commission

New officers accept commissions into the military each year and pledge to diligently discharge the duties of the office to which they are appointed. The proposition advanced in this paper is that few officers know what is written in the Certificate of Commission and even fewer understand the leadership commitment associated with the commission. One objective is to understand the foundation upon which the commission is founded and the crucial prerequisite for effective military leadership. An additional objective is to clearly describe the obligation made by each officer. It is not enough to comprehend the commitment agreed to when an officer is commissioned. Officers must understand the foundation upon which that oath and commitment are established. Through review of primary (source documents and a survey), secondary, and tertiary sources, this paper will trace the origin and meaning of the commission. It will address leadership qualities needed of effective leaders, as rooted in the commission. The paper will also review results of a survey given to current US officers on their views of the commission and their collective recommendation to conduct structured training courses that ensure members understand the meaning and purpose of the commission. Additionally, through the actions and words of officers who have served in the past, the project will highlight the officers' personal understandings of their commitment. Finally, based on the findings, the project will include appropriate recommendations.