Effective May 1, 2001, The Salvation Army initiated a new rank system.
Service-year ranks–At commissioning, officers receive the rank of captain. After 15 years of service, the rank of major is attained. Married officer’s service-year ranks are held individually.
Conferred ranks–Lt. Colonel is reserved for senior chief secretaries in the larger territories and for senior command leaders in countries where the Army is a command and not a territory; Colonel and Commissioner are reserved for territorial and international leaders.