When we think of Star Wars, it’s usually the Jedi and Sith who steal the spotlight. The Force is always front and center. But the truth is, the Empire didn’t run on dark side power alone.
Some of the most dangerous and impressive figures in the Empire had no Force powers at all. They climbed the ranks through strategy, loyalty, and sheer determination. And honestly, a few of them were just as terrifying as any Sith Lord.
So here are my six Imperial officers who proved you don’t need the Force to leave a serious mark on the galaxy.
Table of Contents
1. Director Orson Krennic
Krennic’s always been one of my favorite Imperial characters—and not because he’s some tactical mastermind like Thrawn. What makes him stand out to me is how far he got through sheer ambition and manipulation alone. In Rogue One, we see just how deep he was involved in the creation of the Death Star. From tracking down Galen Erso to watching over the first test on Jedha, Krennic was the guy making the Empire’s ultimate weapon a reality.
What I really like is how he balances that classic Imperial arrogance with a kind of desperation. He’s constantly trying to prove himself, fighting for recognition in a system that keeps pushing him down. He’s in this constant power struggle with Tarkin, trying to hold onto the credit for the Death Star while everyone else is ready to take it from him. And even when Vader literally Force chokes him into silence, he still walks away with that signature line: “So I’ll be given a seat at the table?”
2. Grand Moff Tarkin
How could we leave out Grand Moff Tarkin? Easily one of the most notorious Imperial officers in the entire galaxy. This is the guy who didn’t just rise through the ranks—he practically redefined what Imperial authority looked like. And let’s be real… when you’re one of the only people who can talk to Darth Vader without flinching, that says a lot.
Tarkin started out as a military governor in the Outer Rim, dealing with tough assignments far from Coruscant. But he turned those challenges into stepping stones, rising quickly thanks to his cold, tactical mind and ruthless leadership style. He wasn’t about loyalty or inspiration—he believed in ruling through fear.
His biggest contribution? Overseeing the construction of the Death Star. A weapon capable of wiping out entire planets, and Tarkin wielded it like a true believer in total control. He didn’t hesitate to use it on Alderaan just to send a message. That’s how committed he was to the Empire’s vision of order.
What I’ve always found chilling about Tarkin is that he wasn’t a Sith, didn’t need a lightsaber, and never once used the Force—but his presence was just as commanding. The fact that he could speak to Vader as an equal, and even order him around without fear, shows just how powerful and respected (or feared) he really was.
3. Maximilian Veers
The first one in the list is General Maximilian Veers. Veers has always stood out to me as one of the most capable and respected officers in the entire Empire. He wasn’t flashy, didn’t rely on fear or politics—just solid strategy and leadership. Born on Denon, Veers was built for command. Even early in his career, he showed the kind of discipline and tactical skill that made him a natural fit for the Empire’s military machine.
We all remember him best from the Battle of Hoth. That assault is one of the most iconic moments in The Empire Strikes Back, and Veers was right at the center of it—leading the Imperial walkers straight through the Rebel defenses. Under his command, the Empire dealt a serious blow to the Rebellion, forcing them to evacuate and scattering their forces.
What I’ve always respected about Veers is how his troops actually trusted him. He wasn’t just some high-ranking officer barking orders from the back—he led from the front, calculated every move, and made sure his men knew he had their backs. In a galaxy full of Force-wielders and schemers, Veers proved that smart, grounded leadership could still change the course of a battle.
4. Admiral Piett
The next one on the list is Admiral Firmus Piett—and I’ve always found his rise through the ranks pretty fascinating. In a military where failure usually meant death, Piett not only survived—he thrived. He didn’t come from a legacy family or have any Force powers to lean on. What he had was patience, discipline, and a strong sense of duty.
We first see him as a captain in The Empire Strikes Back, and then—just like that—he’s promoted to admiral by Vader himself after Ozzel gets Force-choked. That promotion alone says a lot. Vader didn’t hand out trust easily, but he saw something in Piett.
As the commander of the Executor, one of the most feared ships in the Imperial fleet, Piett showed he could lead under pressure. He handled major operations, took direct orders from Vader, and managed to stay alive through it all—which, honestly, is impressive when you think about how many officers didn’t last long around him.
What really sets Piett apart for me is how grounded and focused he was. He wasn’t trying to climb higher or backstab his way up the chain. He just did his job, and he did it well. In the end, he stood out as one of the most loyal and competent officers in the Empire.
5. Gilad Pellaeon
You can’t talk about loyal Imperial officers without bringing up Gilad Pellaeon. He wasn’t chasing glory or trying to impress Vader—he just believed in the Empire and stuck to his duty no matter what. Pellaeon started out as a captain in the Imperial Navy and served through some of the darkest, most chaotic moments in Imperial history—including the Battle of Endor.
When everything started falling apart, he didn’t run. He stepped up. Pellaeon eventually became Supreme Commander of the Imperial Remnant, not because he was the most ruthless or powerful, but because he was steady, reliable, and smart. He understood what the Empire needed to survive—and he did everything he could to hold it together.
What I really respect about him, though, is how much he believed in Thrawn. Even when others doubted, Pellaeon remained loyal. His faith in Thrawn’s leadership wasn’t just admiration—it was a belief that Thrawn could restore real order to the galaxy.
In a post-Emperor galaxy full of power-hungry warlords, Pellaeon was one of the few who actually cared about rebuilding something lasting.
6. Dedra Meero
Let’s talk about Dedra Meero—one of the most intense and driven Imperials we’ve seen in recent Star Wars. She’s not a high-ranking admiral or a battlefield commander, but don’t let that fool you. Her work inside the Imperial Security Bureau (ISB) makes her one of the scariest threats to the growing rebellion.
She starts out as a supervisor in a mostly overlooked corner of the Empire, but right away we see that she’s different. She pays attention. While most of her colleagues are brushing off scattered rebel activity, Dedra’s the one who connects the dots. She pieces together the early signs of an organized insurgency—and she doesn’t just report it. She pushes harder, digs deeper, and isn’t afraid to challenge her superiors to prove she’s right.
What I like about her is that she’s not in it for chaos or destruction—she’s methodical. She wants order. She believes in the structure of the Empire and sees herself as the one who can protect it from falling apart. And as we watch her work through interrogations, analyze stolen equipment, and track rebel movements, it becomes clear—she’s not just good at her job. She’s obsessed with it.
