Officer (The Salvation Army) facts for kids

An officer in The Salvation Army is a special kind of leader. They are Salvationists who have been trained and chosen to be ministers (like pastors or priests) in the Christian faith. But they do much more than just lead church services! They also help people in many other ways, often like community leaders. They go through special training and are given titles that sound like military ranks, showing their dedication and service.

Becoming an Officer: The Journey Begins

If someone wants to become a Salvation Army officer, they need to follow some important steps. These steps help make sure that the people who become officers are ready for the job. Different parts of The Salvation Army around the world have similar rules for who can join.

What Does It Take to Apply?

To apply, a person must:

• Believe that God is calling them to work full-time as an officer.
• Be an active soldier (a committed member) in their local Salvation Army church, called a Salvation Army corps.
• Get a recommendation from the leader of their local church.
• Be approved by a special board called the Divisional Candidates' Board.
• Have good references from their family, friends, and other people they know.
• Attend a special weekend where they have many interviews with different people.
• Be accepted for training by the main Candidates' Board and the top leader of their area.

Training to Serve: The Cadet Life

Once accepted, these future officers are called "cadets." They go to a special college for officer training. This training usually lasts about 22 months, which is almost two years! Sometimes, if someone has a lot of experience or training already, they might finish a bit sooner. After they complete their training, the cadets are officially "commissioned," meaning they are ready to serve as officers.

Officer training centers are located all over the world, helping prepare leaders for communities everywhere.

See also

• Generals of The Salvation Army
• Chief of the Staff of The Salvation Army
• High Council of The Salvation Army
• Soldier of The Salvation Army