The purchase of British Army commissions created its greatest obstruction in peacetime. On campaign, casualties opened posts that had to be filled immediately, without waiting for a wealthy buyer to arrive. An officer promoted to fill the vacancy could then be confirmed in the position because the army needed someone in command. Wartime necessity could therefore override the usual pace of the purchase system.
Notable Point · 1:03:31-1:04:23
Why Army commission purchase mattered most in peacetime
Casualties and urgent campaign vacancies forced immediate promotions that could bypass the peacetime purchase process.