Technologically advanced the culture of Terra has become almost homogeneous. Most of the power economically lays with large Earth based megacorporations which own entire planets and essentially the people that live on them. The bureaucracy of the Empire is run by the Civil Service, a pseudo military group that encompasses the diplomatic service, planetary aide, and armed forces.

Service uniforms are black with colored piping that indicates the division which the person belongs.  They are made of synthetic fabric which is very thin and best for temperate world.  On Darkover they do not do much against the cold.  Women's uniforms are not particularly low cut as far as Terran custom goes, but on Darkover only a grezalis (a prostitute) would ware.  Sandals are standard issue with the normal uniform.

The Renunciates which work in medical wear a modified uniform which fits more into their cultural norms and is being worn by several of the Terran nurses as well because of the warmth it provides.
 

• Colonization: Uniform piping color: Dark Blue The division whose job is to scout and establish colony worlds for the growing Empire.  Crews of colony ships get a bonus for each world they discover that can be opened for colonization.

 
• Intelligence: Uniform piping color: Red  An independently operating group which answers to Imperial Center directly and not to the local Imperial Governor.  Intelligence agents are better paid than most of the service and are allowed a greater freedom of operation.  Male agents who marry locals are allowed to continue work, but regulations state that once a woman has had a child with a local, her judgment is bias as to what is best for the world, and therefor must be released from her contract.  The Intelligence School is based on Alpha.

 
• Mapping and Exploration (M&E): Uniform piping color: Green  Responsible for the mapping and study of the worlds colonized by the empire.  Though despite the name, they are not responsible for space exploration.

 
• Marines: Uniform piping color: Dark Gray Ground combat troops, subdivided into Mechanized Infantry, Armor, and Assault Infantry.

 
• Medical: Uniform piping color: Light Blue One of the most loosely associated divisions, medical employs many civilians, both local and from corporations.

 
• Native Relations (NR): Uniform piping color: White This division, on many worlds, is nothing but gloried public relations.  People who organize recruitment and send out pictures of Big Ships to excited children... however, on restricted worlds like Darkover the have a more sinister duty.  To bring those worlds into the Empire with full open status.  Frequently orders relating to these missions are secret so that the Empire can deny knowledge of their agents actions.

 
• Personnel: Uniform piping color: Orange A catch all for most of the bureaucracy of the civil service.

 
• Security Police: Uniform piping color: Dark Red  The Division responsible for security of Imperial bases and space ports across the galaxy.  The law enforcement arm of the Civil Service.

 
• Space Force: Uniform piping color: Light Gray  The crews of non colonization ships.  Battleships, cargo, and transports.  Operators of the Big Ships.

 
• University Scholar: Uniform piping color: Turquoise Though not part of the civil service exactly, they are associated with the civil service.  Those scholars who do field work wear a service uniform for protection and simplicity...

Seven Official Reprimands result in dishonorable discharge from the service.  More than one Reprimand can be given for a particularly bad offense.  To resign the service before your contract is up results in the forfeiture of withheld pay and travel fare home.

After thirty days of being "Overdue" an agent is declared "Missing in Action; Presumed Dead."  After five years, that status is again changed to "Dead."