Officer of The Salvation Army

An officer of The Salvation Army is a Salvationist who is an ordained minister of the Christian denomination, having been trained and commissioned to service and leadership and given a quasi-military rank.

Related Topics:
The Salvation Army - Salvationist - Ordained - Minister - Christian - Denomination - Military rank

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

While attending a College for Officer Training, which is equivalent to a seminary, the trainees or students are called cadets. Once initial training is complete, the cadets are commissioned. The commissioning ceremony is equivalent to a graduation and ordination. At the commissioning, they are promoted to the rank of captain and given their marching orders (assignments to various posts).

Related Topics:
College for Officer Training - Seminary - Graduation - Ordination

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Until 2000, cadets were commissioned as lieutenants. The rank of lieutenant is now given to those individuals who are employed with The Salvation Army in a ministry position, but are noncommissioned officers.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Officers can be posted at a corps as a corps officer, which is equivalent to a minister of a church, but not all officers are corps officers. A majority of officers are assigned to other jobs within The Salvation Army, such as at Headquarters, the Training College, Trade (a supply store), et cetera.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The uniform of an officer has red patches on the shoulders of the jacket with metal emblems to designate rank, e.g., stars for captains and crests for majors.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Usually, officers are given new marching orders every two to five years and reassigned to different posts, sometimes moving great distances.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After 15 years service, a captain is promoted to the rank of major. When an officer is promoted above major, such as lieutenant-colonel, colonel, commissioner, et cetera, it is called a 'special assignment.' Most officers retire as a major, unless they are promoted to a special assignment.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Chief of the Staff is not formally a rank, but a position held by a commissioner. As of October 1, 1997, 'Mrs. General' holds a rank in her own right and is known as 'Commissioner.'

Related Topics:
Chief of the Staff - October 1 - 1997

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~