Article 20 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
المادة 20 من نظام خدمة الضباط · الفصل الأول: القواعد العامة للترقية
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 توصية الوزير.
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 20 explained in plain English
This article sets two general rules on the promotion of officers:
First: progression. All officers advance by promotion from the lower rank to the rank immediately above it. This means the rule in promotion is to move one rank at a time, so an officer does not jump from one rank to another beyond the next rank.
Second: the deciding authority. Promotion is made by decision of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and that is:
- on the proposal of the Prime Minister.
- and after the recommendation of the Minister, who under Article 2 is the Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General.
The phrase "all officers" makes the rule general for all ranks. The substantive conditions for promotion, such as periods, reports, qualification and vacancy, are not addressed by this article, and one looks to the provisions specific to them in the Law.
The practical effect is that promotion is a decision issued at the highest level, and does not happen automatically with the passing of time; it goes through the stages of recommendation and proposal and then decision. Anyone whose promotion decision has been delayed despite being entitled may consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases and military service matters.
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 20 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
Who issues the decision to promote an officer?
Promotion is by decision of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces on the proposal of the Prime Minister and after the recommendation of the Minister.
Can an officer skip a rank in promotion?
The article provides that all officers advance by promotion from the lower rank to the rank immediately above it.
More articles on Officer Promotion Conditions and Periods
- Article 19
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.
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 خلال
- 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.