In accordance with the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of October 9, 1942 — "On the Establishment of Full Unity of Command and the Abolition of the Institution of Military Commissars in the Red Army" —

I order:

1. To relieve from their posts the commissars of units, formations, staffs, military-educational institutions, central and main directorates of the NKO, and other institutions of the Red Army, as well as political officers of subunits, and to appoint them as deputy commanders (chiefs) for political affairs of the corresponding units.

2. The military councils of fronts and armies are, within one month, to assign command military ranks to political workers within the scope of the authority granted to them.

The military councils of fronts are to submit to the People's Commissariat of Defense, not later than November 15, 1942, through the Main Political Directorate of the Red Army, attestation materials for the assignment of command military ranks to political workers, beginning from the rank of senior battalion commissar and above.

3. Commanders of formations and military councils of armies and fronts are more resolutely to promote political workers who are militarily prepared to command positions, particularly at the level of company commander and battalion commander.

4. The military councils of fronts are to organize, by October 20 of the current year, two-month front command courses with a strength of 150–250 persons each, for the preparation of company commanders from among the political workers most capable of command work. Selection for the courses is to be carried out in coordination with the Main Political Directorate of the Red Army.

5. The Main Personnel Directorate of the Red Army is to establish, at the "Vystrel" courses as of November 1 of the current year, two-month courses for the preparation from among the commissars and political workers most proficient in military matters — 200 regimental commanders and 600 battalion commanders. Selection for the courses is to be carried out by the Main Political Directorate of the Red Army jointly with the Main Personnel Directorate.

6. Deputy commanders (chiefs) for political affairs appointed by the present order shall retain their previous rate of pay.

People's Commissar of Defense
I. Stalin