The Second Order was a military unit within the Cardassian Union. The order was considered to be feared. (Decipher RPG module: Player's Guide) In 2323 after first contact came between the Cardassians and the Bajoran people, the Cardassians offered to deploy a squadron from the Second Order to help protect Bajor's assets from aggressive powers within the region. (TLE - Terok Nor novel: Day of the Vipers) By 2371, Gul Skrain Dukat had become the head of the Second Order during the Occupation of Bajor. (DS9 episodes: "The Maquis, Part I", "Defiant")