What is "political commissar"

n. an official of the Communist Party who was assigned to teach party principles to a military unit [syn: commissar]

The political commissar (also politruk from from политический руководитель, "political officer") is the supervisory political officer responsible for the political education ( ideology) and organization, and committed to the civilian control of the military. Historically, the commissaire politique (political commissary) first appeared in the French Revolution (1789–99), guarding it against anti-Revolutionary thought and action, and so ensuring the Republican victory.