Promotion in the commissioned ranks of the British army, since the abolition of the purchase system in 1870, is obtained by seniority to fill a vacancy, by selection or by brevet for distinguished services. First appointments are as a rule obtained from the militia or through the Military Colleges (see MILITARY SCHOOLS). But three commissions, one in the Royal Artillery, one in the Royal Engineers, and one in the Cavalry, are given each year to cadets of the Royal Canadian Military College, and about ten second-lieutenants' commissions in the cavalry and line to sergeants who are specially recommended and hold first-class certificates of education. Besides these last all the officers of the Coast Brigade Royal Artillery (about 48), and of the Coast Battalion Royal Engineers (12), as well as all the quartermasters (about 315) and riding- masters (about 45) in the service, are commissioned as lieutenants from the ranks. Quartermasters and riding-masters receive honorary commissions, and are promoted honorary captains and majors for length of service or distinguished conduct in the field. Other officers are usually promoted, in their regiments, when senior of their rank, on a vacancy occurring, provided that they are well reported on and have passed the necessary examinations; but to equalise promotion a step is sometimes given out of the regiment. The highest rank of regimental officer is that of lieutenant-colonel. The succeeding steps of colonel, major-general, lieutenant-general, and general are given to officers specially selected to fill some appointment carrying those ranks. The seniors have the preference if otherwise eligible and not above the age limits, which are fifty-five, sixty-two, and sixty-seven years respectively. Field-marshals, not exceeding six, are specially selected from amongst the most distinguished generals. The brevet rank of major, lieutenant-colonel, or colonel may be given to any officer above the rank of lieutenant, and a lieutenant may be given a captaincy in another regiment for distinguished services. By this means a young and promising officer may be brought forward and placed in an important command. Thus, a major and brevet-colonel is eligible for promotion to major-general, thereby passing over many who are senior to him in length of service; but while serving with his regiment he does duty as a major only. Such an officer must, however, have been exceptionally fortunate to have obtained at least two brevets—viz. lieutenant-colonel and colonel, for only one step is given at a time. The rules governing promotion are constantly altered by royal warrant. The above rules were dated 1889. Non-commissioned officers are promoted by selection—the seniors, if otherwise qualified, having the preference—or for distinguished service. See also COMMISSIONS, RANK.
Promotion in the navy is governed partly by seniority and partly by selection. On a midshipman passing all his examinations for the rank of lieutenant, he receives his commission as sub-lieutenant, and is then advanced to lieutenant, except in a few special cases, by seniority. Those specially selected for promotion have either obtained a first-class in all subjects of examination, or else have distinguished themselves on active or other special service. Advancement from the lieutenants' to the commanders' list may be said to be by pure selection. As there are supposed to be 1000 lieutenants on the active list and only 250 commanders, it is inevitable that this should be the case. Except, however, for very distinguished service, lieutenants are not promoted before having served ten years in that rank, and the promotions are generally to be found among officers who have ten to fifteen years' seniority as lieutenants with a proportionate amount of good service. Promotion from the commanders' list to the captains' is also by selection; but there is this difference, that as the number of commanders is only some 70 in excess of the captains, any commander who puts in the requisite amount of sea-service can count, with a fair amount of certainty, on attaining his step. Captains and admirals are promoted on their respective lists by pure seniority; the three admirals of the fleet are selected for good service from admirals who have command of a squadron either as rear- or vice-admiral.