Officers Salvation Army officers have the status of ordained ministers and are employed by the Army in a professional capacity and on a full-time basis. They are members of The Salvation Army who have committed their life to doing God's will and serving others. After five years of satisfactory service they are promoted to the rank of captain and after a further fifteen years they receive the rank of major. All officers wear uniform. Women have always been accepted as officers on equal terms as men.
Married women undertake the same training and receive the same commission as their husband.
Others serve in social service centres, Goodwill community centres or in an administrative capacity at headquarters. They receive a standard allowance of money whatever job they do and accommodation is provided. An officer's ministry includes preaching the Christian Gospel, distributing Salvation Army literature, visiting hospitals, institutions and prisons, counselling, conducting weddings and funerals, being a pastor to their congregation and administrating the church programme. Soldiers Members of The Salvation Army are called soldiers. They sign the 'Articles of War' which state the Army's beliefs and accept certain moral standards, eg, Salvation Army soldiers do not smoke or drink alcohol.