Salvation Army ranks and uniform

I just read that the Government will introduce a new rank to the Singapore Armed Forces - Senior Lieut. Colonel.

I don't know if The Salvation Army would follow suit - Lieut. Colonel, Senior Lieut. Colonel then Colonel! Very unlikely in my opinion.

When my wife and I became officers (1954) Salvation Army ranks were as follows:

Probationary Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
First Lieutenant
Captain
Major,
Senior Major
Brigadier
Lieutenant Colonel
Colonel
Lieutenant Commissioner
Commissioner
General (elected by the High Council)

Later on the ranks of Senior Captain, Senior Major, Brigadier and Lieut. Commissioner were dropped. In fact at one time we used to have the rank of Adjutant.

Today the ranks are as follows:-

Lieutenant
Captain
Major
Lieutenant Colonel
Colonel
Commissioner
General

I recall as youngster seeing the different colour trimmings. If my memory serves me right - Lieutenant wore Yellow, Captain wore red, Major wore Blue, Brigadier wore Purple. Colourful indeed! Correct me if I am wrong for at my age memory is not that reliable.

I recall as a child seeing Lieut. Colonel Herbert Lord sometimes wearing his navy blue uniform in our tropical climate of Singapore. Maybe it wasn't so hot then.

Pre-war men officers wore tunic and long pants everyday! I remember seeing Lieutenant Lim Siok Chin in 'sam fu' with 'S's on the collar! But Lieutenant Tan Beng Neo would always wear western style white dress.

After the war, in our session,(1954) the two ladies wore 'cheong sam' uniform! In fact they were commissioned in 'cheong sam' uniform! The powers that be went somewhat overboard, for the two were different from the other women officers!

In 1957, when the Faithful Session began, there was Janos Wasagam and I don't think a 'cheong sam' would suit her! A sari would look all right! So the change was made - all women officers were to wear western type dresses. To me it was a wise thing to do.

Then Lieut. Colonel and Mrs. Blake, Australian officers were appointed. Mrs. Blake insisted on women officers wearing hats. So that became the rule. Two women officers just refused to put on hats - Mrs. Brigadier Hilda Gordon and Mrs. Brigadier Tan Eng Soon. Both have gone to Glory.

Hats for the ladies disappeared from the Army scene during the time of Lieut. Colonel and Mrs. Ivan Lang. So the ladies took their hats off to the Langs, also Australians. Approved by International Headquarters of course! So no hats, but never mind we shall all, men and women be wearing crowns when we get to Heaven.

We used to all wear white uniforms - yes the men wore white pants and white shirts until Lieut. Colonel George Engel (American officer)in the 1960's changed the men's pants to grey. Then our men folk came in all shades of grey! Eventually it was changed to navy blue.

Fellow officers and soldiers, be proud of your uniform and wear your uniform as a form of witness. Never be ashamed of our uniform.

The uniform has changed through the years, but what is most important is - inside each one of us. 1 Peter 3: 4 says, "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment...instead it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."