The Salvation Army's membership consists of adherents, soldiers, and officers.

Adherents are persons who consider The Salvation Army their place of worship. Soldiers are required to sign a declaration of faith and practice known as Articles of War and must give volunteer service to the Army.

Soldiers who have served for more than six months may apply to the College for Officers' Training and, if accepted, enroll as cadets.

The Army operates four two-year-in-residence training facilities in Chicago, Illinois; Suffern, New York; Atlanta, Georgia, and Rancho Palos Verdes, California.

Upon graduation from these schools, cadets become fully ordained ministers, commissioned officers, and are appointed to a place of service.