The Salvation Army beneficial to society or the community of mankind as a whole". The Army was founded in 1865 in London by one-time Methodist circuit-preacher William Booth and his wife Catherine as the East London Christian Mission, and can trace its origins to the Blind Beggar tavern. In 1878 Booth reorganised the mission, becoming its first General and introducing the military structure which has been retained as a matter of tradition. Its highest priority is its Christian principles. The current international leader of The Salvation Army and chief executive officer (CEO) is General Brian Peddle, who was elected by the High Council
The Salvation Army of The Salvation Army on 3 August 2018. A peculiarity of it is that it gives its clergy titles of military ranks such as "lieutenant" or "major". The Salvation Army has some practices that are peculiar to it. The Salvation Army refers to its ministers as "officers". When acting in their official duties, they can often be recognized by the color-coded epaulettes on their white uniform dress shirts. The epaulettes has the letters SA embroidered on them in white. Officers ranks include lieutenant, captain, major, colonel and the general. Promotion in rank up to the rank from lieutenant to major