Required Seminars

Christmas Intensive I
First-year Cadets will participate in the College for Officer Training Christmas program (to include kettle work, caroling, and special Christmas programming).


Christmas Intensive II
This course is designed to provide intensive instruction in the philosophy behind and methodology of Salvation Army Christmas Programming. Cadets will be familiarized with the purpose, as well as the planning and administration of the various programs and events that are associated with the Christmas season. In addition to the classroom instruction, cadets will receive an opportunity to apply the information learned in the context of a local corps. This portion of their training will be provided directly by field officers and supervised by the Mission and Ministry department.


Emergency Disaster Services Seminars (EDS)*
These seminars provide the cadets with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead and participate in the Salvation Army’s efforts during times of disaster in the United States and other parts of the world. In addition to an  introduction to The Salvation Army’s numerous emergency disaster responses and responsibilities, these seminars will provide training on the deployment and use of a canteen and related food handling; basic first-aid and CPR; Incident Command Systems; and Emotional and Spiritual Care for those who have been affected by disasters.


Holiness Seminar**
This seminar is designed to provide a deeper understanding of the theological and practical aspects of the Christian doctrine of holiness. The doctrine of holiness will be considered from the perspective of biblical, historical, systematic, and practical theology. The contemporary relevance of the Wesleyan understanding of holiness for the Christian life and the practice of ministry will be stressed.


Men’s and Women’s Ministries Seminar**
This seminar provides an introduction to the various men’s and women’s ministries programs and their field application and organization.


Mental Health First Aid Training Seminar
Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training course that teaches participants about mental health and substance-use issues. This seminar will alternate each year between an emphasis on adults and youth.


Mentoring Orientation and Seminar
Success as an officer and a key component of spiritual formation is mentoring. All graduating cadets select a successful and experienced officer to be their mentor for their first five years of Officership. The Mentoring Orientation introduces the concepts and design of the Mentoring process to the cadets and initiates the process of selecting a mentor. The Mentoring Seminar is a time when the cadets meet with their mentors and the process of mentoring is commenced. During the seminar all aspects of the process are clearly articulated so that agreement and understanding of expectations is understood by all participants. 


National Publications
This seminar, given by the Editor-in-Chief/National Literary Secretary, provides cadets with an overview of USA National publications.


Officer Care & Development
An overview of the Pastoral Care Department, its purpose and how it functions.  An overview of the Cadet Ministry Development Plan, its purpose, process, and completion.


Officer Transition
The Officer Transition Seminar prepares second-year cadets for their departure from CFOT by providing logistical and financial information related to the move of their physical belongings as well as the resources provided to fund their travel to their new appointment. In addition, the cadets are provided with the expectations from Personnel in regard to final checkout inspections.


Personal Finance Seminar
This seminar provides information about a tax free 403b opportunity for Salvation Army Officers and the basics of long term finance planning.


Prayer Seminar**
This seminar in prayer will focus on the different concepts that are in the integral part of a cadet‘s spiritual life. The seminar will include concepts relating to: biblical prayer, prayer walks, prayer at the penitent form, prayer journaling, praying with purpose , and fasting.


Prepare and Enrich Seminar*
A comprehensive seminar leading to the certification of cadets in offering premarital and marital counseling.


Protecting the Mission Seminar
A seminar required of all cadets giving information regarding child protection as it relates to molestation and abuse. Included is the psychology of abuse/molestation, signs of abuse, risk factors, responsible selection, screening and training of workers, policies and reporting laws. Also provided are resources for screening potential workers and instructions for the use of such materials


Salvationism Lectures
Lectures by officers on subjects related to the spiritual matters of officership pertaining to the development of character, as well as depth of spiritual experience.


SA Procedures: Benefits
The Health Care Provisions Seminar will inform cadets on the medical, hospital obstetrical, optical, and sick leave benefits and allowances.


SAWSO Seminar
In this seminar presented by the National Secretary for the Salvation Army World Services Office, cadets will learn how The Salvation Army USA works together with communities to improve the health, economic and spiritual conditions of the vulnerable throughout the world.


School for Leadership Development & Officer Continuing Education
The School for Leadership Development is a strategic approach for developing officers during the first five years post training.  The School for Leadership Development Lieutenant continuing education consists of five one-credit online courses taken during the first five years of officership.  In addition, and concurrently, there is a Balanced Ministry component, a married or singles retreat, and attendance at the first- and fifth-year Territorial Officer Institutes.

After successful completion of the Lieutenant continuing education and promotion to the rank of Captain, officers have the opportunity to earn a higher education degree.


Sexual Harassment Prevention
A seminar presenting the sexual harassment prevention policies and procedures for The Salvation Army in the Western Territory. 


Summer Assignment Seminar
This course involves the Cadet in fieldwork under the direct supervision of an active field Officer.  Emphasis is placed in the areas of Business Administration and Salvation Army Procedures in the assigned corps setting.

*Leads to related certification and/or authorization to perform specific duties.
**Seminar held on a biannual basis.

Reviewed/Updated: July 2025