The Care and Feeding of New Officers

by Robert Mitchell

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

The first appointments of new Salvation Army officers in the USA Eastern Territory used to happen at Commissioning every June. Until that moment, the locations were considered top secret.

Last year, the territory broke with tradition and decided to tell the cadets about a month earlier to give them lead time to learn about their new community, the congregation, budgets, property, and employees.

The 2024–2026 Keepers of the Covenant session of cadets learned their first appointments on Sunday, May 3, during a semi-private ceremony at the College for Officer Training (CFOT) in Suffern, New York. Commissioner Ralph Bukiewicz, Territorial Commander, said the 2023–2025 Champions of the Mission session benefited greatly from the early heads-up.

“I believe they were the best equipped officers in the entire nation,” Bukiewicz said during the Service of Appointments, which was livestreamed around the world.

Bukiewicz had high praise for Lt. Colonels James and Patricia LaBossiere, who lead the CFOT, along with the school’s faculty and staff. James LaBossiere opened the night in prayer and welcomed those watching from home.

Following preliminary music from the New York Staff Band Ensemble, the ceremony got underway as Keepers of the Covenant members entered with their session flag.

The service also included lively worship led by UNBOUND and the CFOT’s Cadet Chorus.

Bukiewicz, in prepared remarks, asked everyone to ponder what God “has in store for all of us” and called it a day of celebration ahead of Commissioning next month in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

“This is a culmination. This is another important chapter in the fulfillment of God’s call on each of these lives,” he said. “These are not just appointments. These are God’s people.”

Bukiewicz, instead of offering a challenge to the cadets, decided to speak directly to the corps, soldiers, and adherents around the territory. Many corps held watch parties to see who their new officers would be.

The commissioner said the cadets would be going out under varying life circumstances and confidence levels, but “all are arriving obedient.” He reminded the audience to remember an important fact before these future officers’ first sermon, funeral, or advisory board meeting:

“God has already appointed you to them,” he said.

Bukiewicz said his comments were for the “keepers of the corps” and titled his remarks, “The care and feeding of your new officers.” His points included:

Remember who they are and whose they are.

The new officers are not interns, hired hands, or service providers, but “Christ’s ambassadors” who have surrendered their lives, the commissioner said.

“These officers come under covenant, a sacred lifelong promise made before God and the Church,” he said. “They have pledged all their days and hours to the Lord’s service.

“When they arrive, remember you’re not just receiving a leader, you are receiving God’s call in human form.”

Pray for them like your ministry depends on it because it does.

Bukiewicz cited Exodus 17, where Joshua battled the Amalekites in the Rephidim Valley. While Moses stood on a hill and Aaron and Hur held up his arms, the Israelites prevailed. When Moses lowered his arms, the Amalekites gained an advantage.

“Your officers will fight in the valley,” he said dramatically. “You hold up their arms. Pray for their spiritual lives. Their intimacy with Christ never becomes optional.”

Encourage them early, loudly, and often.

Bukiewicz quoted 1 Thessalonians 5, which calls for people to respect and esteem pastors. He noted that sometimes all they need is a little encouragement or to be told, “I’m glad you’re here” or “That message helped me.” He also urged them to show grace.

“When they fail, and they will, remember rookie mistakes are not moral failures,” he said.

To a chorus of amens, he added, “Don’t punish them for not being the officer you had before. Celebrate them for being the officer that God sent now.”

Support them as whole people, not just as officers.

Help them navigate the community and be a friend to their family. “When you care for their family, you will strengthen their ministry,” Bukiewicz said.

Engage with them. Don’t sit back and watch.

Bukiewicz urged congregants to become partners with the officers to protect unity, speak the truth in love, refuse gossip, and choose grace over preference.

“A corps where the soldiers say, ‘That’s not my job’ will wear out any officer,” he said. “A corps that says, ‘How can we help?’ will change the world.

“When officers and soldiers stand together, get this: Hell trembles and Heaven rejoices. If you care for your officers well, you will discover this holy truth. In feeding them, God will feed you.”

With his wife, Commissioner Susan Bukiewicz, at his side, he invited the cadets to come forward in turn. The commissioners offered fun facts to tease each appointment, and the cadets saluted the couple as they learned their destinations.

Territorial Secretary for Personnel Lt. Colonel Kevin Stoops offered a prayer of consecration over the cadets and their appointments, which included:

Cadet Mintae Hwang — To be announced by the Korea Territory.
Cadet Sungyeon An — To be announced by the Korea Territory.
Cadet Omar Rivera — To be announced.
Cadet Rebeca Irizarry-Cardona — To be announced.
Cadet Yailyn Cordero — York, Pennsylvania, Assistant Corps Officer.
Cadet Mario J. Dino Cedeno — Wilmington Citadel, Delaware, Corps Officer.
Cadet Raisa M. Santos Almanzar — Wilmington Citadel, Delaware, Corps Officer.
Cadet Sara E. Perkins — Auburn/Onondaga Tabernacle, New York, Corps Officer.
Cadet Wendell B. Perkins — Auburn/Onondaga Tabernacle, New York, Corps Officer.
Cadet Joshua E. Wesbee — Lockport, New York, Corps Officer.
Cadet Delia P. Rojas — Brooklyn (Bushwick), New York, Assistant Corps Officer.
Cadet Yolmina H. Saint-Lot — Brooklyn (Bedford Temple), Assistant Corps Officer.
Cadet Daewon Kim — New Jersey Divisional Headquarters, divisional support officer, Command KeepSAfe coordinator.
Cadet on the Field Mykaella I. Morales — Kearny, New Jersey, Corps Officer.
Cadet on the Field Luis R. Ortiz Madera — Kearny, New Jersey, Corps Officer.
Cadet Carlos A. Mota Lugo — Dover, New Jersey, Corps Officer.
Cadet Yolanda Silvestre Martinez — Dover, New Jersey, Corps Officer.
Cadet Efrad A. Arroyo Colon — Cleveland (West Park), Ohio, Corps Officer.
Cadet Williana M. Garcia Robles — Cleveland (West Park), Ohio, Corps Officer.
Cadet Hector J. Rivera Melendez — Guayama (Kroc Center), Puerto Rico, Corps Officer.
Cadet Elizabeth Torres Rivera — Guayama (Kroc Center), Puerto Rico, Corps Officer.
Cadet Denise Velazquez Colon — Fajardo, Puerto Rico, Corps Officer.
Cadet Jack J. Yambo Gonzalez — Fajardo, Puerto Rico, Corps Officer.
Cadet Brandy D. Reese — Georgetown, Kentucky, Corps Officer.

Before Wesbee heard his appointment, his mother yelled out from the crowd not to send her son too far away. The crowd laughed. Cheryl Wesbee lives in Port Jervis, New York, just an hour from the CFOT. Her son’s new corps in Lockport is about a five-hour drive to western New York near Buffalo.