Commissar

But sir --

*BLAM*

-- your zipper... is open...

A commissar is an officer in the Imperial Guard whose job it is to keep morale high by blowing the brains out of anyone who shows sign of weakness or fear. It works, statistically. They get a cool hat, a sword or powerfist they seem all too happy to hit the enemy with and their iconic laspistol which they use to boost the morale of their men, though some might prefer a boltpistol instead since motivates better(And seeing your buddy's head explode does indeed motivate you better than just seing a laser beam go through it). In reality however they're nothing more than a couple of faggots who overcompensate for their lack of fighting skill by executing their men to look tou*BLAM*.

Reasonable Commissars

Reasonable Commissars do not execute those who flee. However, they do carry a potent stun-gun to bring down those who break ranks. Afterwards, the accused is brought before a military tribunal to judge what the appropriate punishment will be. Reasonably Hard Labor is a common punishment.

Reasonable Commissars can often be found in units operating alongside Reasonable Marines.

Reasonable Commissars only exist because there are Commissars who are *ahem* dicks...such as Commissar Jericho of the 8th Cadian Whiteshield division:

Lil' Timmy: "Commissar? My helmet won't fit. Can you please help me fasten it?"

Jericho: "IF YOU CANNOT FASTEN YOUR OWN HELMET, YOU'RE AN INEFFECTIVE SOLDIER! AN INEFFECTIVE SOLDIER IS THE SAME AS A HERETIC IN MY BOOK! SUMMARY EXECUTION FOR YOU!" *BLAM*

Jericho: "SO. ANY OF YOU OTHER CHILDREN WANT HELP WITH SOMETHING? WHAT ABOUT YOU, OLIVER? DO YOU STILL WANT MORE PORRIDGE? OH WAIT, YOU'RE DEAD! HAH! GET BACK TO FIGHTING YOU LITTLE PIECES OF SLIME!"

- from the records of Inquisitor Murtho

What not to do around a commissar

Unless you have a death wish(but since you're drafted into the Guard, when DON'T you have a death wish?) these are the things you should avoid doing around your Commissar unless you want to be shot for a number of reasons:

Do not retreat until he says so.
Do not look like you will retreat before he says so.
Do not think about retreating before he says so.
Do not think about thinking of retreating before he says so.
Do not be incompetent in battle, he'll execute you for being useless.
When the rest of your squad looks like they are gonna fall back, step away from the Commissar's general direction as he might choose to execute you to make an example for the rest of the men.
Do not ever move away from the Commissar's general direction, lest he summarily executes you for cowardice.
Do not fap to the women that are Xenos, heretic or mutants while in the field of battle....or outside it.
Do not fap to human women either, he'll execute you on the grounds of heresy.
Do not fap AT ALL Because it is heresy.
Do not mock anyone in the upper command structure, social status and organizations, it's the same as treason.
Do not look at your commissar with a grimdark look, he'll assume you want to kill him.
Do not interrupt him while speaking, he'll execute you for the insubordination.
Do not worship the ruinous powers.
Do not look like you are worshipping the ruinous powers.
Do not think about worshipping the ruinous powers.
Do not think about thinking about worshipping the ruinous powers.
Do not think AT ALL or he'll think you are thinking about worshipping the ruinous powers.
Do not openly question his orders.
DO NOT suggest anything that isn't suicidal.
Do not mention that the Ministorum Priests are better motivators.
Do not mention that the sanctioned Psykers scare you more than him.
Do not mention that he is the most useless unit to have in a command squad.
Do NOT interrupt him while attempting to execute someone unless you have a pretty good reason as he'll execute you along with the one about to be executed.