Purchase of Officers Commissions –
Actually, I believe I have read that the system of the purchase of officer commissions was actually intended as a “reform” based on the experience of having England living under what was in effect a military government during the Oliver Cromwell. By showing they could pay a substantial sum for their commissions, it was thought that officers would be solid citizens, with a genuine stake in England, and not just military adventurers out for what their rank could get them.
Jim Dickey