Structure

This military structure is a legacy of The Salvation Army’s beginnings in London in the mid-19th century.

The  Salvation Army Founder William Booth drew upon the Bible’s references to the spiritual battle all people are in and the need to wage war against sin and its consequences in the world.

All official positions with the exception of the General are appointed, however many non-Salvationists are also employed in various capacities.

Internationally

The Salvation Army currently operates in over 130 countries, with its work administered by The Salvation Army International Headquarters (IHQ)  in London, United Kingdom.

The international leader of The Salvation Army is the General, who works with the administrative departments of IHQ to direct Salvation Army operations around the world. These administrative departments are headed by international secretaries.

The Chief of the Staff, a commissioner appointed by the General to be second-in-command, is the Army’s chief executive whose function is to implement the General’s policy decisions and effect liaison between departments.

As well as the handling of day-to-day business and the allocation of resources, IHQ is concerned with strategic, long-range planning and acts as a resource centre for the worldwide Army and as a facilitator of ideas and policies.

The Salvation Army worldwide is split into five zones, which are headed up by international (zonal) secretaries:

• Africa
• Americas and the Caribbean
• Europe
• South Asia
• South Pacific and East Asia — this includes the Australia Territory

Territories

The next level in The Salvation Army hierarchy is the territory. Usually, each country forms a single Salvation Army territory however countries with a numerically strong Salvation Army presence, or large geographic area, may be divided into a number of territories, and sometimes more than one country can be grouped into a territory.

A territory is headed by the territorial commander who reports to International Headquarters. The territorial commander is assisted by a chief secretary, who is responsible for overseeing the Army’s operations and activities within that territory and is supported by cabinet secretaries.

Territories are divided into divisions. In the Australia Territory, our divisions are: 

• New South Wales and Australia Capital Territory Division 
• Queensland Division 
• South Australia and Northern Territory Division 
• Tasmania Division
• Victoria Division
• Western Australia Division

The local Salvos

Corps

The local Salvation Army church is called a corps, and Salvation Army church members are known as ‘soldiers’, while clergy are known as ‘officers’, who hold varying ranks.

Those holding positions of leadership within the corps are called ‘local officers’. Such positions include leadership of the band, songster brigade (choir), or other groups. Local officer positions are voluntary, unpaid, and are open to both men and women.

Salvation Army officers are male or female, full-time ministers of religion, trained and commissioned (ordained) by The Salvation Army. Their work involves all the usual duties of a minister, and can also include diverse roles in Salvation Army social service programs or administration.

Officers have different ranks and wear uniform whenever they are ‘on duty’.

Community service centres

As well as corps, the Salvos run a range of community service centres, which provide aid and support to people in need within the community.