Article 4 of the Saudi Enlisted Personnel Service Law
المادة 4 من نظام خدمة الأفراد · الفصل الثاني: التعيين
The article sets the conditions for appointing an enlisted person: Saudi origin and upbringing, good conduct, medical fitness, age between 18 and 40, not being a government employee, and the qualifications of technical personnel.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
يشترط في تعيين الفرد ما يلي:
أ- أن يكون سعودي الأصل والمنشأ ويستثنى من شرط المنشأ من نشأ مع والده أثناء خدمته للدولة خارج المملكة
ب- أن يكون حسن السيرة والسلوك غير محكوم عليه بالإدانة في جريمة مخلة بالشرف والأمانة مالم يكن قد رد اعتبار إليه.
ج- أن يكون لائقا طبياً للخدمة العسكرية.
د- ألا يقل سنه عن ثمانية عشر عاماً، ولا يزيد على أربعين عاماً
ه- أن لا يكون موظفا في اية جهة حكومية.
و- أن تتوفر في الفرد الفني المؤهلات التي تحددها اللائحة التنفيذية.
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 4 explained in plain English
This article sets the conditions that must be met by anyone appointed as an enlisted person, which are:
- Saudi origin and upbringing: the upbringing condition is waived for one who was raised with his father while his father was serving the State outside the Kingdom.
- Good conduct and behavior: and not having been convicted of a crime involving dishonor or breach of trust, unless his rehabilitation has been granted.
- Medical fitness for military service.
- Age: not less than 18 years and not more than 40 years.
- Not being an employee of any government body.
- The technical enlisted person must have the qualifications set by the Implementing Regulations.
The article has been amended more than once: paragraph (a) in its current wording came with Royal Decree No. (M/62) of 26/11/1407 AH, and paragraph (d) on age took its current text by Royal Decree No. (M/7) of 18/1/1443 AH.
In practical terms, these are conditions for the appointment itself; a person who does not meet them may not be appointed. The details of the qualifications of technical enlisted personnel are not set by the article but are referred to the Implementing Regulations. A person with a previous conviction who wants to know its effect on his application is best advised to consult a lawyer who specializes in administrative cases and military service matters.
Practical example
Fahad is 41 years old and wishes to apply for a position as a private. Under paragraph (d), the applicant's age may not exceed 40 years, so he does not meet the age condition. His brother, who is 19 and not a government employee, may be considered for appointment if he meets the remaining conditions.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 4 of the Saudi Enlisted Personnel Service Law
What age is required for appointment as an enlisted person?
Not less than 18 years and not more than 40 years, under the text of paragraph (d) as amended in 1443 AH.
May a government employee be appointed as a military enlisted person?
The article requires that the candidate not be an employee of any government body.
Does a previous conviction prevent enlistment?
The article requires that the candidate not have been convicted of a crime involving dishonor or breach of trust, unless his rehabilitation has been granted.
Amendment history
Royal Decree No. M/52 — 3/9/1405 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
- عُّدلت الفقرة (د) من هذه المادة وذلك بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم (م/52) وتاريخ 1405/9/3هـ.
Royal Decree No. M/62 — 26/11/1407 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
- عُّدلت الفقرة (أ) من هذه المادة وذلك بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم (م/62) وتاريخ 1407/11/26هـ، ليصبح كما يلي: (أن يكون سعودي الأصل والمنشأ ويستثنى من شرط المنشأ من نشأ مع والده أثناء خدمته للدولة خارج المملكة).
Royal Decree No. M/7 — 18/1/1443 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
- عُدلت الفقرة (د) من هذه المادة وذلك بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم (م/7) وتاريخ 1443/1/18هـ، لتكون بالنص الآتي: " ألا يقل سنه عن ثمانية عشر عاماً، ولا يزيد على أربعين عاماً".
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
يشترط في تعيين الفرد ما يلي:
أ- أن يكون الفرد سعودي الجنسية.
ب- أن يكون حسن السيرة والسلوك غير محكوم عليه بالإدانة في جريمة مخلة بالشرف والأمانة مالم يكن قد رد اعتبار إليه.
ج- أن يكون لائقا طبياً للخدمة العسكرية.
د- أن لا يقل سنه عن سبعة عشر عاما ولا يزيد عن اربعين عاما.
ه- أن لا يكون موظفا في اية جهة حكومية.
و- أن تتوفر في الفرد الفني المؤهلات التي تحددها اللائحة التنفيذية.
More articles on Conditions for Appointing Enlisted Military Personnel
- Article 5Amended (1420 AH)
The article requires the candidate to give two declarations: that he has not concealed prior military service, and that he meets the conditions in paragraphs (b) and (e) of Article 4; if the contrary is proven, his appointment is cancelled with no counted service or award.
يقدم المرشح للتعيين اقرارا بعدم إخفائه لخدمة عسكرية سابقة له، واقرارا آخر بتوافر شروط التعيين المنصوص عليها في الفقرتين "ب، هـ" من المادة (4) وإذا ثبت خلاف ذلك
- Article 7
The article obliges an enlisted person to remain in service for four years after his appointment; after that his service may be ended at his request unless the circumstances of military work require him to stay.
يلزم الفرد بعد تعيينه البقاء في الخدمة لمدة أربع سنوات ويجوز بعدها انهاء خدمته بناء على طلبه ما لم تقضى ظروف العمل العسكري ببقائه.
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.