Cadets Get Their Orders

by Robert Mitchell

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” — Mark 16:15

It was time to salute and go for the Champions of the Mission session of cadets on Sunday, May 4.

In a break from tradition, the cadets learned the locations of their first assignments during a semiprivate appointment service at the College for Officer Training (CFOT) in Suffern, N.Y. Those top-secret appointments are typically announced at Commissioning Weekend in Hershey, Pa. — after the cadets officially become new lieutenants — but not this year.

The event was livestreamed around the world (reaching 105,000 views) and featured Commissioner Ralph Bukiewicz, territorial commander, explaining the dramatic change and offering a challenge to the future Salvation Army officers.

“Your appointment is not just a place on a map or a building that identifies as The Salvation Army,” Bukiewicz said, “but your appointment is to minister to the entire community considering its history, its values, its obstacles and opportunities. So settle in, settle down, and care for your entire vineyard.

“Your congregation is not just a group of people who show up in the building on Sunday morning. They’re not just listed on a membership list or a roll sheet, but your congregation is all of your soldiers, your staff, your volunteers, your donors, your service recipients, your neighbors, and your strangers alike. Let God fill your heart with love for His sheep. Remember, your obedience will be God’s answer to their prayers.”

Sage advice

Lt. Colonel James LaBossiere, the CFOT’s training principal, offered the welcome to a service that featured hymns, praise and worship, and a cadet scripture video. The New York Staff Band and Unbound provided music.

Calling the Champions of the Mission session name “wonderful and inspiring,” Bukiewicz offered some leadership advice from Salvation Army Founder William Booth, who said the greatness of a person’s power is the “measure of his or her surrender.”

“True leadership is not about exerting authority, but it’s about surrendering to God’s will and allowing His power to work through you,” the territorial commander said.

Bukiewicz also drew on the wisdom of Commissioner Samuel Logan Brengle, who said history cares little about a person’s rank, title, or office, “but only the quality of his deeds and the character of his mind and heart.”

“Your impact on those you serve will be measured by the love and compassion and integrity that you bring to your ministry,” he said. “The appointment you’ll receive … is the opening chapter in a lifelong ministry.”

Something new

The commissioner also warned the cadets against falling into a rut and a regular routine and forgetting the ultimate mission.

“Your mission, and every day you need to figure out what this looks like, is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ every day in every place and in every possible way and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination in every possible place and circumstance,” Bukiewicz said.

Bukiewicz began his remarks by explaining the dramatic departure of announcing the appointments about a month early. He said this would give the cadets a chance to build relationships with their new divisional leaders, command heads, and predecessors. They also can research the new community they will call home.

Then there are all the particulars of moving to a new city such as school enrollment, finding health care professionals, and studying the budgets, stats, and property needs at their Salvation Army appointment.

“It will also hopefully reduce any anxieties, any fear, or even any trauma that anyone might experience in getting their appointment in front of 100,000 people who usually gather at commissioning — or so it feels like in the moment,” Bukiewicz quipped, injecting a little humor.

Better preparation

The change will make the cadets “better leaders, better officers, better shepherds, and better followers of Christ,” Bukiewicz said.

“You’ll be able to have much more details and you will also be able to begin making those relationships with people that will soon be called yours — to pray for them by name and by need,” he said. “It’s the right thing to do, friends.”

While it is a break from tradition that makes some uncomfortable, Bukiewicz asked everyone to have the endgame in mind.

“What is the end? To have better prepared officers, to have better anointed leaders in the pulpit and in the office, to be able to have the answers for the information that they need on day one,” he said. “That’s why we’re doing it this way.”

Commissioner Susan Bukiewicz, the territorial president of women’s ministries, then joined her husband and helped give the cadets hints as they came forward as families to find out their new homes.

Here are the appointments:

  • Cadets Antonio & Tamika Blackmon — Corps Officers, Cincinnati (West Side), Ohio
  • Cadets Caitlyn & Sean Bohanan — Corps Officers, Keene, N.H.
  • Cadets Alexander & Mckenzie Dressler — Corps Officers, Norwalk, Ohio
  • Cadet Joshua Fenton — Corps Officer, Ansonia (Greater Valley), Conn.
  • Cadet Jesse Flanders (w/Captain Candace Flanders) — Corps Officers, Peekskill, N.Y.
  • Cadet Brittany McKinney — Assistant Corps Officer, Greensburg, Pa.
  • Cadet Tamera McWhorter — Assistant Corps Officer, Providence (Citadel), R.I.
  • Cadets Andremene St. Vil Patrice & Jean Patrice — Assistant Corps Officers, Spring Valley, N.Y.
  • Cadet Natalia Pizzirusso Coppeto — Assistant Corps Officer, Brooklyn (Sunset Park), N.Y.
  • Cadet Emily Shoultz — Assistant Corps Officer, Queens (Temple), N.Y.
  • Cadet Jalicia Smalley — Corps Officer, Youngstown, Ohio

They’re going home

Lt. Colonel Cindy-Lou Drummond, the territorial personnel secretary, offered a prayer of consecration over the cadets.

The Blackmons, who came to officer training from Cincinnati West Side, were excited to be going home.

“I’m through the roof,” Cadet Antonio said later. “I’m thinking about the people I know who are there, the building, the area, everything. It’s really surreal. I’m still processing it, but we’re very excited. We look forward to being there. It’s going to be great.”

Bukiewicz reminded the cadets they still must complete their training and other details, such as ordination and commissioning June 6–8 in Hershey, Pa.

“And your reliance on God to continue walking in His holiness, seeking His face, drawing on His strength, and giving Him the glory every single day,” he said.