The Metaphor of War
and
The Salvation Army

Military Language

     The Salvation Army is organized hierarchically with the General as international commander at the top. The chart works its way down through international secretaries and positions, then to national commanders and positions, then territorial commanders and positions, to divisional commanders and positions. The bottom of the chart is generally the Captain in the field or at an institution. In most cities where there is more than one corps, there is often a City Commander.

     Ordained ministers are Officers. Soldiers are lay members. Junior Soldiers are children who are members.

     The local church is called the Corps or Citadel. Lay members with specific areas of responsibility are called Local Officers and have their own designations and ranks such as Young Peoples Sergeant Major (YPSM) or Bandmaster.

     Officers live in Quarters, which range from an apartment which is part of the Corps to a separate house. Their post is considered their Appointment. When they are moved at the direction of Headquarters, they receive Marching Orders which tell them where and when to report for their new duty.

     Soldiers become Officers by first being accepted as Candidates for Officership, then serve two years at the School for Officer Training as Cadets before being Commissioned (ordained).

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[NOTE: for other terms, please see the Glossary]