Article 5 of the Saudi Enlisted Personnel Service Law
المادة 5 من نظام خدمة الأفراد · الفصل الثاني: التعيين
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.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
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 بعد تعيينه يلغى قرار تعيينه ولا تحتسب المدة التي أمضاها خدمة عسكرية ولا يستحق عنها أية مكافأة أو تعويض
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 5 explained in plain English
This article requires anyone applying for appointment to sign two declarations:
- A declaration that he has not concealed any prior military service of his.
- A declaration that the two appointment conditions in paragraphs (b) and (e) of Article 4 are met, namely: that he is of good conduct and behavior and has not been convicted of a crime involving dishonor or breach of trust unless his rehabilitation has been granted, and that he is not an employee of any government body.
The article then sets out the consequence if the contrary of what he declared is proven after his appointment, which has three effects:
- The decision appointing him is cancelled.
- The period he spent is not counted as military service.
- He is not entitled to any award or compensation for it.
This wording came with the amendment by Royal Decree No. (M/4) of 7/2/1420 AH. In practical terms, the truth of the declaration at the time of applying is essential, because discovering the contrary later does not merely end the relationship, but also removes the counting of the period and any award or compensation for it. A person who faces cancellation of his appointment for this reason can consult a lawyer who specializes in administrative cases and military service matters.
Practical example
Majed applied for appointment as a private and declared that he was not an employee of any government body. A year after his appointment it became clear that he held a government post at the time of appointment. Under the article, the decision appointing him is cancelled, the year he spent is not counted as military service, and he is not entitled to an award or compensation for it.
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 5 of the Saudi Enlisted Personnel Service Law
What declarations are required on appointment as an enlisted person?
A declaration that he has not concealed prior military service, and a declaration that he meets the two conditions in paragraphs (b) and (e) of Article 4.
What happens if a declaration is proven untrue after appointment?
The decision appointing him is cancelled, the period he spent is not counted as military service, and he is not entitled to any award or compensation for it.
Amendment history
Royal Decree No. M/4 — 7/2/1420 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
- عُّدلت هذه المادة وذلك بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم (م/4) وتاريخ 1420/2/7هـ، لتصبح بالنص الآتي:
(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 بعد تعيينه يلغى قرار تعيينه ولا تحتسب المدة التي أمضاها خدمة عسكرية ولا يستحق عنها أية مكافأة أو تعويض).
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
يقدم المرشح للتعين اقرارا منه بتوفر شروط التعيين المحددة في الفقرتين ب، ه من المادة (4) وإذا ثبت خلاف ذلك بعد تعيينه تنهى خدماته على أن لا تحتسب خدمته السابقة خدمة عسكرية ولا يستحق عنها أية مكافأة أو تعويض.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Conditions for Appointing Enlisted Military Personnel
- Article 4Amended (1443 AH)
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.
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
- 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.