ARMY STYLE
The Salvation Army has adopted a military structure to enhance its organizational strength and mobility, enabling more efficient disaster relief efforts and assistance activities in developing countries. Since the organization has adopted a military framework, its terminology is also unique, as shown below.
Traditional Church Terminology Salvation Army Terminology
Church
Corps
Member
Soldier
Minister
Officer
Pastor
Corps Officer
National Leader
Territorial Commander
International Leader
General
The Salvation Army’s military structure has its origins in its early history. When the Salvation Army was founded in the late 19th century, Britain was a class-based society where clothing, language, and food varied by social class. However, the military was one of the few institutions where both the upper and lower classes wore the same uniform. Although the Christian church was meant to transcend social class, by the late 19th century, churches had largely become places where the middle and upper classes gathered. By adopting a military structure and preaching in uniform, the East London Christian Mission was able to overcome class barriers and directly reach the lower-class community.
For these reasons, the Salvation Army wears uniforms and carries a flag. This ensures that wherever in the world you go, people can immediately recognize that you are a member of the Salvation Army.
Uniform
As a visible sign of being soldiers of Christ, Salvation Army members wear uniforms with blue epaulettes. The "S" emblem on the collar stands for "Salvation." Those who complete two years of training at the Officer’s Training College (seminary) and are commissioned as Salvation Army officers wear uniforms with red epaulettes and collar patches. Officers are promoted through ranks such as Lieutenant, Captain, and Major based on years of service, with some advancing to Lieut-Colonel, Colonel, or Commissioner based on special assignments.
Uniforms are worn in both everyday and special situations, including regular services, evangelism, sermons, weddings, funerals, travel, and meetings with heads of state. The navy-blue uniform is standard, but white and khaki uniforms are used in tropical regions. Additionally, pilot shirts with epaulettes are worn in summer.
Tricolour
The Salvation Army flag is displayed at all its locations, including corps (churches), hospitals, social welfare facilities, and headquarters. The flag, designed in red, blue, and yellow, is often called the "tricolor flag." Each color carries a religious meaning: "blue" represents the purity of God, "red" symbolizes Christ’s atoning blood, and "yellow" signifies the fire of the Holy Spirit—altogether representing the Trinity.
The flag is prominently displayed during open-air evangelism, parades, soldier enrollment ceremonies (comparable to baptism), weddings, and funerals. At Salvation Army funerals, the casket is draped with the flag, signifying the soldier’s return to heaven after a lifetime of service.