Article 1 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
المادة 1 من نظام خدمة الضباط
The article names the law the Officers Service Law and states its subject: the rules regulating the service of officers working in the armed forces.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يسمى هذا النِظام (نظَام خدمة الضباط) وتتناول أحكامه القواعد التي تنظم خدمة الضباط العاملين في القوات المسلحة.
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 1 explained in plain English
This is the first article in the Law, and it performs two functions:
- Name: this Law is called the "Officers Service Law".
- Subject and scope: its provisions deal with the rules regulating the service of officers working in the armed forces.
To understand the scope of the Law precisely, refer to the definitions in Article 2: an officer is one who holds a military rank under the provisions of this Law, and the armed forces include all the land, air and naval forces and air defense connected, or that become connected, to the Ministry of Defense and Aviation. Article 2 also defines the Minister as the Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General.
Two limits can be seen in the text:
- The Law concerns officers, meaning those who hold a military rank under it.
- They must be working in the armed forces in the sense Article 2 defines.
In practice, an officer working in the armed forces refers to this Law to know the rules governing his service. Anyone with a question about whether the Law applies to their situation may consult a lawyer specialized in administrative matters and military service affairs.
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 1 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
What does the Officers Service Law regulate?
Its provisions deal with the rules regulating the service of officers working in the armed forces.
What are the armed forces in the Officers Service Law?
According to Article 2, they include all the land, air and naval forces and air defense connected, or that become connected, to the Ministry of Defense and Aviation.
More articles on Officer Ranks and Definitions
- Article 2Amended (1406 AH)
The article defines the Officers Service Law's terms: the Kingdom, the Minister, the armed forces, the officer, the staff officer, the medical, engineer and technical officer, with examples of technical specializations.
تعني الكلمات والعبارات التالية المعاني المذكورة أدناه ما لم يرد النص أو يدل السياق على خلاف ذلك. أ- المملكة: – المملكة العربية السعودية. ب- الوزير: – وزير الدفا
- Article 158
The Minister may grant some of his powers under the Officers Service Law to the Deputy Minister and the Chief of Staff.
يجوز للوزير منح بعض الصلاحيات المخولة له بموجب هذا النظَام إلى نائب الوزير ورئيس هيئة الأركان.
- Article 159
The Minister may issue the regulations and instructions needed to implement the Officers Service Law.
للوزير أن يضع اللوائح والتعليمات اللازمة لتنفيذ هذا النظَام.
- Article 160
The Council of Ministers has the right to interpret the Officers Service Law.
لمجلس الوزراء حق تفسير هذا النظَام.
- Article 161
This law replaces the system issued by Royal Decree M/18 dated 22/9/1379 AH, and repeals earlier laws and decisions to the extent they conflict with it.
يحل هذا النظَام محل نظَام خدمة الضباط الصادر بالمرسوم الملكي رقم م/18 وتاريخ 22/9/1379هـ ويلغى ما يتعارض معه من أنظمة وقرارات سابقة.
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.