Soldier (The Salvation Army)

A soldier is a Salvationist who is at least 14 years of age and has, with the approval of The Salvation Army census board, been enrolled as a warrior in the Christian denomination - The Salvation Army - after signing the articles of war.

Soldiers wear the same uniform as officers, the only difference being that soldiers have blue patches on the shoulders of their tunics while officers have red patches with emblems to designate their rank. Uniform is a sign of covenant community.

A junior soldier is a boy or girl who, having professed conversion and having signed the junior soldier’s promise, becomes a Salvationist.

Soldiers are not required to wear their uniform and it is not unusual to see active members wearing street clothes during Sunday meeting. However, one is usually required to wear the uniform to participate in the meeting.

Soldiers are covenanted warriors exercising holy passion to win the world for Jesus. The covenant, know as the Articles of War, is a life-long commitment to God through The Salvation Army that is fleshed out by a full book of Orders and Regulations. There is also a complete book, formerly called the Handbook of Doctrine that is now titled Salvation Story, that explains the doctrines to which the soldier adheres. These commitments are similar to those made by monks of various Roman Catholic orders.

According to The Salvation Army Year Book 2006 as of 1 January 2005 there are 386,185 junior soldiers and 1,041,461 senior soldiers in The Salvation Army.