Article 19 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
المادة 19 من نظام خدمة الضباط · الفصل الأول: القواعد العامة للترقية
The article delays the promotion of an officer from second lieutenant to major by six months when his reports are unsatisfactory, with a transfer, then another six months, and ends his service if he has not improved within the year.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
إذا توفرت جميع شروط الترقية في الضابط من رتبة ملازم إلى رتبة رائد وكانت تقارير الكفاءة غير مرضية فتؤخر ترقيته لمدة ستة شهور وينقل بعدها لوحدة أخرى يقدم عنه خلالها تقرير خاص فإذا أصبحت نتيجة تقاريره مرضية فيرقى وتعتبر ترقيته من تاريخ صدور الأمر بترقيته. أما إذا كانت نتيجة تقاريره غير مرضية فيؤخر مدة ستة أشهر أخرى فإذا أصبحت تقاريره مرضية فيرقى ويوضع في الأقدمية من تاريخ ترقيته. أما إذا انتهت السنة دون أن تصبح تقاريره مرضية فتنهى خدمات الضابط بقرار من القائد الأعلى للقوات المسلحة بناءً على اقتراح رئيس مجلس الوزراء وبعد توصية الوزير ويعامل بمقتضى أحكام النظَام.
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 19 explained in plain English
This article deals with the case of an officer from the rank of second lieutenant to the rank of major who has met all the conditions for promotion but whose efficiency reports are unsatisfactory. It sets out stages for this:
- The first delay: his promotion is delayed six months, and he is then transferred to another unit in which a special report is submitted on him.
- If his reports become satisfactory: he is promoted, and his promotion is considered from the date the order for his promotion is issued.
- If they remain unsatisfactory: he is delayed another six months. If they then become satisfactory he is promoted and placed in seniority from the date of his promotion.
- If the year ends without improvement: his service is ended by decision of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces on the proposal of the Prime Minister and after the recommendation of the Minister, and he is treated in accordance with the provisions of the Law.
The important point is that promotion after the delay is counted from the date its order is issued or from the date of promotion, not from the date on which he originally was entitled to it. The article does not provide for restoring his seniority to the original date.
The article gives the officer two chances to improve his reports within a year, with a change of unit so that he is assessed in a different environment. Anyone whose promotion has been delayed for this reason may consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases and military service matters.
Practical example
Captain Hussein completed the promotion period and the other conditions, but his efficiency reports are unsatisfactory, so his promotion to major was delayed six months and he was transferred to another unit. His special report there was satisfactory, so he was promoted and his promotion was counted from the date its order was issued, not from the date his colleagues were promoted.
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 19 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
What happens if an officer's reports are unsatisfactory when he becomes entitled to promotion?
If he is from second lieutenant to major, his promotion is delayed six months and he is transferred to another unit in which a special report is submitted on him.
When is an officer's service ended because of unsatisfactory reports?
If the year ends without his reports becoming satisfactory, his service is ended by decision of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces on the proposal of the Prime Minister and after the recommendation of the Minister.
More articles on Officer Promotion Conditions and Periods
- Article 20
The article provides that all officers advance by promotion from the lower rank to the rank immediately above it, by decision of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces on the proposal of the Prime Minister and after the recommendation of the Minister.
يتدرج جميع الضباط بالترقية من الرتبة الأدنى إلى الرتبة التي تليها مباشرة وذلك بقرار من القائد الأعلى للقوات المسلحة بناءً على اقتراح رئيس مجلس الوزراء وبعد توصي
- Article 21
The article makes promotion from second lieutenant to lieutenant colonel by seniority on conditions: satisfactory efficiency reports and confidential file, the minimum period served, completed qualification through courses, examination and field service, and a vacancy.
تكون الترقية من رتبة ملازم حتى رتبة مقدم بالأقدمية مع توفر الشروط التالية :- أ- أن تكون تقارير الكفاءة السنوية والبيانات الواردة بملف الضابط السري مرضية. ب- أن
- Article 22Amended (1423 AH)
The article ends the service of an officer of the rank of major or below who has spent four years beyond the period in Article 18 without meeting the promotion conditions in Article 21.
إذا أمضى الضابط من رتبة رائد فما دون أرب سنوات في رتبته بالإضافة إلى المدة المقررة في المادة (18) من هذه النظام ولم تتوافر شروط الترقية المنصوص عليها في المادة
- Article 23
The article sets the considerations for promoting a lieutenant colonel, colonel and brigadier: period, reports, qualification and vacancy; seniority, efficiency, leadership ability and qualifications; and selecting the best qualified from the candidates list.
يراعى في ترقية كل من المقدم والعقيد والعميد إلى الرتب التالية الاعتبارات الآتية :- أ- توفر الشروط الآتية : 1- أن يكون الضابط قد أمضى الحد الأدنى للمدة الزمنية ا
- Article 24
The article divides lieutenant colonels, colonels and brigadiers into three categories by qualification and recommendation for promotion, and gives the second category a year from notification to complete its qualification.
أ- يقسم الضباط من رتبة مقدم وعقيد وعميد إلى ثلاثة أقسام :- القسم الأول : الذين أتموا تأهيلهم وأوصى بترقيتهم. القسم الثاني : الذين لم يتموا تأهيلهم ولكن يوصى بتر
- Article 25Amended (1423 AH)
The article retires a lieutenant colonel, colonel or brigadier after six years in the rank without promotion: in the next rank if recommended for promotion, and in his own rank if not, with the service of a doctor officer extendable.
أ- إذا أمضى الضابط الموصى بترقيته من رتبة مقدم وعقيد وعميد مدة ست سنوات في رتبته ولم يرق أو بلغ سن التقاعد في رتبته قبل ذلك يحال إلى التقاعد بالرتبة التي تلي رت
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.