Article 16 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
المادة 16 من نظام خدمة الضباط · الفصل الأول: الواجبات
The article lists the officer's duties: loyalty to the King and the interests of the nation, performing responsibilities accurately and honestly and devoting his time to his duties, carrying out orders, courtesy, and preserving the honor of the service, discipline and order.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجب على الضابط :
أ- الولاء التام للمليك والمحافظة على مصالح الوطن والقوات المسلحة وأن لا يتقاعس أو يتهاون في أداء الواجبات الموكولة إليه وأن يعمل دون إهمال لتطبيق النظم واللوائح المعمول بها وتنفيذها ويتحاشى أية مخالفة أو خرق لها.
ب- تأدية المسئوليات المنوطة به بكل دقة وأمانة ونشاط وإخلاص وأن ينهي الأعمال المطلوبة منه على أكمل وجه وفي أقصر مدة وأن يخصص جميع أوقاته لأداء واجباته الرسمية.
ج- تنفيذ الأوامر والتعليمات العسكرية التي تصدر إليه من قبل رؤسائه.
د- التصرف في أدب وكياسة في صلاته برؤسائه وزملائه ومرؤوسيه وأفراد الشعب.
هـ- المحافظة على شرف الخدمة العسكرية في جميع الأوقات والأماكن.
و- المحافظة على الضبط والربط وحسن السلوك والقيافة وأن يكون مثلاً أعلى لذلك.
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 16 explained in plain English
This article sets out the officer's duties in six paragraphs:
- (a) Loyalty and seriousness: complete loyalty to the King, safeguarding the interests of the nation and the Armed Forces, not being negligent or lax in performing duties, applying the systems and regulations without neglect, and avoiding any violation or breach of them.
- (b) Performing responsibilities: accurately, honestly, energetically and sincerely, finishing work in the best way and in the shortest time, and devoting all his time to performing his official duties.
- (c) Obedience: carrying out the military orders and instructions issued to him by his superiors.
- (d) Good conduct: behaving with courtesy and tact toward his superiors, colleagues, subordinates and members of the public.
- (e) Honor of the service: preserving the honor of military service at all times and in all places.
- (f) Discipline: preserving discipline and order, good conduct and proper appearance, and being a model in that.
Note that paragraph (b) provides for devoting all his time to performing his official duties. Paragraph (e) also makes the duty to uphold the honor of the service apply at all times and in all places, so it is not limited to working hours or inside the unit.
Paragraph (d) extends to the officer's dealings with members of the public, not only with his military colleagues. The article does not state the penalty for breaching these duties. Anyone facing accountability for an alleged breach may consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases and military service matters.
Practical example
Captain Mishari was in a shopping mall outside working hours, and got into an altercation with a shopper and used improper language toward him. Paragraphs (d) and (e) require him to be courteous and tactful with members of the public and to preserve the honor of military service at all times and in all places, even when off duty.
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 16 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
What are the officer's duties under the Officers Service Law?
Loyalty to the King and the interests of the nation, performing responsibilities accurately and honestly, carrying out military orders, courtesy toward everyone, and preserving the honor of the service, discipline, order and proper appearance.
Is an officer bound by the honor of the service outside working hours?
Yes. Paragraph (e) provides for preserving the honor of military service at all times and in all places.
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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.