Article 22 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
المادة 22 من نظام خدمة الضباط · الفصل الأول: القواعد العامة للترقية
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.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
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 (21) – تنهى خدماته ويعامل بموجب النظام.
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 22 explained in plain English
This article sets a time limit on an officer's remaining in his rank without promotion, and concerns officers of the rank of major and below. The conditions for applying it are:
- The officer spends four years in his rank in addition to the period prescribed for his rank in Article 18.
- He does not meet the promotion conditions provided for in Article 21.
The result: his service is ended, and he is treated in accordance with the Law.
To apply this one looks to Article 18, which sets the minimum periods for promotion, including: two years in the rank of second lieutenant, four years in the rank of first lieutenant (and three for a pilot), six years in the rank of captain (and five for a pilot), and four years in the rank of major. A captain, for example, has his service ended if he spends ten years in his rank (six prescribed and four additional) without meeting the promotion conditions.
The conditions of Article 21 are: satisfactory efficiency reports and confidential file, spending the minimum period, being fully qualified through the mandatory courses, qualifications, promotion examination and field service for one who is captain or below, and the existence of a vacancy.
This wording is in force by Royal Decree No. (M/37) dated 26/9/1423 AH. Anyone approaching this limit and fearing the end of his service may consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases and military service matters.
Practical example
First Lieutenant Sultan has spent eight years in his rank, that is, the period prescribed in Article 18 of four years and four additional years, and he has not passed the promotion examination or completed the mandatory courses. Under the article his service is ended and he is treated in accordance with the Law.
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 22 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
When is an officer's service ended for not being promoted?
If he is of the rank of major or below and has spent four years in his rank in addition to the period prescribed in Article 18 without meeting the promotion conditions in Article 21.
Does this article apply to a lieutenant colonel and a colonel?
The article concerns officers of the rank of major and below.
Amendment history
Royal Decree No. M/37 — 26/9/1423 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
- عُّدلت هذه المادة وذلك بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم (م/37) وتاريخ 1423/9/26هـ، ليكون نصها كالآتي: "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 (21) – تنهى خدماته ويعامل بموجب النظام".
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
إذا أمضى الضابط من رتبة رائد فما دون سنتين في رتبته بالإضافة إلى المدة المقررة في المادة (18) من هذا النظَام ولم تتوافر شروط الترقية المنصوص عليها في المادة (21) تنهى خدماته ويعامل بموجب النظَام.
Articles this article refers to
- Article 18Amended (1429 AH)
تكون ترقية الضباط الى الرتب التى تعلو رتبهم مباشرة بعد توفر الشروط العامة المنصوص عنها فى هذا النظام ومرور مدة من الزمن فى الخدمة لكل رتبة على النحو التالى :- س
- 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
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 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 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.