But the constituent assembly changed this order of things, and established the rule that three-fourths of the sub-lieutenants be appointed by selection, _after a concours_, and the other quarter be appointed from the sub-officers, alternately by seniority and selection, without _concours_; the captains and lieutenants by seniority; the colonels and lieutenant-colonels two-thirds by seniority and one-third by selection; _marechaux-de-camp_ and lieutenant-generals one-half by seniority and one-half by selection.
In 1793 the grades were still further opened to selection, and in the turbulent times that followed, a part of them were even thrown open to election by the soldiers.

But in 1795 the combined system of merit and seniority, with certain improvements, was restored.

In 1796 and the wars that followed, _merit_ was the only qualification required, and Bonaparte, Moreau, and other young generals were actually placed in command of their seniors in rank.

Military talent and military services, not rank, were the recognised claims for promotion, the _baptism of blood_, as it was called, having equalized all grades.

Bonaparte, in leaving Egypt, paid no attention to seniority of rank, but gave the command to Kleber, who was then only a general of brigade, while Menou was a general of division.