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Take the Next Step
God confirms the call to Salvation Army officership in a number ways: through the Bible, the Holy Spirit, and through people and circumstances.
If you feel God is asking you to become as an officer—or even if you just wonder if that might be the case—explore this further by talking to your corps officer, or find out who your Divisional Candidates Secretary is (listed at the bottom of this page) and let them know you’re interested in more information. You can find information regarding the different pathways to full-time service in The Salvation Army here.
For some, you might be asked to increase your involvement at your Salvation Army corps (church), perhaps taking on leadership responsibilities or gaining experience in other areas of the Army’s work. For others, you might be encouraged to start the application process straight away.
Self-Assessment Tool
You might find it helpful to work through our Self-Assessment Tool to help you reflect on your readiness to be an officer and identify areas to focus on in your personal development. (This document is designed to be printed as a booklet.)
The Application Process
When it is time to apply, you can expect to work through the following steps:
1. Apply to Become a Salvation Army Officer
This application process gives time and space for God’s will to be tested and confirmed through a series of interviews, assessments, character references and a police background check.
The Candidates Department will support you as you throughout this process of application.
2. Officership Training
Once you’ve completed the application process and been accepted for training as a cadet, the usual requirement is two years of residential training at Booth College of Mission, which has campuses in Upper Hutt, New Zealand, and Suva, Fiji. Cadets from Tonga and Samoa usually train in Fiji.
Booth College of Mission focuses on developing people who know God, know themselves and know their mission. The college’s mission is: 'To inspire and enable men and women to develop the knowledge, skills, spirit and character to sustain and advance the mission of Christ in today’s world.'
Salvation Army officer training includes theological and biblical study, practical ministry involvement, spiritual formation, and leadership development. Training is tailored to individual needs.
3. Commissioning and Appointing
Ordination and commissioning take place on successful completion of your training. New officers are commissioned with the rank of ‘lieutenant’ and receive their first appointment (which will have been previously notified).
Consultation occurs prior to appointing, taking care to fit officers into appropriate roles. Appointment type and length are as varied as the officers themselves and the skills and giftings they possess.
4. The First Five Years … and Beyond
The first two years of residential training is followed by five years of on-the-job training as a lieutenant. After the successful completion of this probationary period, you are promoted to the rank of captain.
All Salvation Army officers are encouraged to continue to develop their skills through further study and training option throughout their officership.
Get in touch today ...
Explore officership further by speaking to the Candidates Secretary in your Division/Region:
- Northern Division: Captain Shane Healey
- Midland Division: Captain Missy Ditchburn
- Central Division: Captain Juanita Buckingham
- Southern Division: Major Joanne Wardle
- Fiji Division: Major Marika Serevi
- Tonga Region: Captain Selalina Prescott