Article 10 of the Saudi Enlisted Personnel Service Law
المادة 10 من نظام خدمة الأفراد · الفصل الثالث: الترقية
The article allows, exceptionally, granting an enlisted person seniority of up to one year or promoting him to the next rank without the promotion conditions, except a vacancy, if he performs outstanding, extraordinary deeds.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجوز بصورة استثنائية وفقاً لما تحدده اللائحة التنفيذية منح الفرد الأقدمية لا تزيد عن سنة أو ترقيته للرتبة التي تلي رتبته دون التقيد بشروط الترقية ما عدا الشاغر إذا قام بأعمال مجيده غير عادية في الميدان أو في الخدمة العسكرية ويتم ذلك بقرار من الوزير أما رئيس الرقباء فتتم ترقيته بأمر من القائد الأعلى للقوات المسلحة بناء على توصية الوزير.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 10 explained in plain English
This article sets an exceptional route to reward an enlisted person who performs outstanding, extraordinary deeds in the field or in military service. It allows one of two things:
- Granting him seniority of no more than one year.
- Or promoting him to the rank following his own without being bound by the promotion conditions, except for a vacancy; there must be a vacancy for the rank.
The competent authority differs according to the enlisted person's rank:
- This is done by decision of the Minister for enlisted personnel generally.
- A sergeant major is promoted by order of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces on the recommendation of the Minister.
The article provides that this is "as set by the Implementing Regulations", so the detailed controls for identifying the outstanding deeds and how the grant is made are found there and are not set by the article. The word "may" means the grant is a discretionary power and not an automatic right for everyone who performs a distinguished act. A person who believes he performed an act deserving this exception can consult a lawyer who specializes in administrative cases and military service matters.
Practical example
During a field mission, Corporal Sultan performed an extraordinary act of bravery that saved his colleagues. Under the article, the Minister may promote him to sergeant without waiting for the period or the other conditions, provided that a vacancy exists, or may grant him seniority of no more than one year.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentAdministrative Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Administrative Law (Board of Grievances) lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Al-Safwa Law Office and Legal Consultancy
Frequently asked questions about Article 10 of the Saudi Enlisted Personnel Service Law
Can an enlisted person be promoted before completing the period?
Yes, exceptionally, if he performs outstanding, extraordinary deeds in the field or in service, without being bound by the promotion conditions except for a vacancy, and as set by the Implementing Regulations.
How much seniority can be granted exceptionally?
Seniority of no more than one year.
Who decides an exceptional promotion for a sergeant major?
It is by order of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces on the recommendation of the Minister.
More articles on Promotion of Enlisted Military Personnel
- Article 8
The article regulates promotion of the enlisted person to the next rank by decision of the Minister, promotion of a sergeant major to second lieutenant by order of the Supreme Commander, and sets the conditions and minimum periods for each rank.
تجوز ترقية الفرد ما عدا رئيس الرقباء من الرتبة الأدنى إلى الرتبة الأعلى التي تليها مباشرة بقرار من الوزير. أما رئيس الرقباء فلا تجوز ترقيته إلى رتبة ملازم إلا ب
- Article 9
The article allows the Minister to exempt an enlisted person from one or more of the promotion conditions in the Law, except the condition of time and the availability of a vacancy.
يجوز للوزير الاعفاء من شرط وأكثر من شروط الترقية الواردة في هذا النظام عدا شرط المدة وتوفر الشاغر.
- Article 12
The article provides that a promoted enlisted person receives the salary of the first grade in the new rank, and if his salary equals or exceeds it, he receives the first grade that exceeds his salary.
يمنح الفرد المرقى راتب أول درجة الرتبة المرقى إليها، فإذا كان راتبه عند الترقية ساوياً لراتب هذه الدرجة أو يزيد عليه يمنح راتب أول درجة تتجاوز راتبه.
- Article 65
The transitional article counts the period beyond four years spent by those holding the rank of wakil on 1/11/1394 AH as seniority in the rank of sergeant first class, with no financial benefits.
الافراد الذين كانوا برتبة وكيل في 1394/11/1هـ ثم صنفوا برتبة رقيب ورقوا بعد ذلك الى رتبة رقيب أول تحسب لهم المدة الزائدة عن أربع سنوات التي قضوها في رتبة وكيل ك
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.