A Der'kal Stormtrooper officer were traditionally non graduates from the Der'kal Academy, but stormtroopers who demonstrated skills in leadership could be promoted to officer status. In battle, commissioned stormtrooper officers wore standard armor with rank insignia to indicate status. Non-commissioned officers were identified in the field with shoulder pauldrons instead of the standard rank squares worn over the armor. They commanded a small groups of lower ranking Stormtroopers. They wore an orange or red pauldron.