Officer

An Officer was a member of a group typically in the areas of the military. An officer's typical role was to command and direct, maintain discipline, and make plans and provisions for operation. Certain organizations had special criteria in order for one to achieve the status of officer.

Commission
In a military service, a commission was an order from the service's supreme authority, such as its commander-in-chief, authorizing an individual to legally hold a military rank, with all the privileges and responsibilities of said rank. A commission usually appointed an individual to hold an officer's rank.

Starforce
In the Union Starforce, an officer or commissioned officer was an individual who had attended and graduated from the five-year cadet program of Starfleet Academy. Upon graduation from the Academy, the cadet was granted a commission appointing him or her to the rank of Ensign, or in exceptional circumstances Lieutenant junior grade. Trades such as Doctor or Counselor graduated as a Lieutenant junior grade as standard due to the extra time spent studying before graduating. Commissioned officers and enlisted officers were distinguished from other crew members through the use of a rank structure.

Commissioned Officer Rank Structure
Starforce ranks from highest to lowest:
 * 1) Fleet Admiral (FADM)
 * 2) Admiral (ADM)
 * 3) Vice Admiral (VADM)
 * 4) Rear Admiral (RADM)
 * 5) Commodore (CMR)
 * 6) Captain (CPT)
 * 7) Commander (CDR)
 * 8) Lieutenant Commander (LTC)
 * 9) Lieutenant (LT)
 * 10) Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) / Ensign (ENS)

Other Officer terms
Certain officer positions could be filled by non-commissioned officers and civilians if the need arose.