Article 24 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
المادة 24 من نظام خدمة الضباط · الفصل الأول: القواعد العامة للترقية
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 بترقيتهم بعد تمام تأهيلهم.
القسم الثالث : الذين لا يوصى بترقيتهم.
ب- يخطر الضباط من القسم الثاني بضرورة إتمام تأهيلهم فإذا مضت سنة على إخطارهم بذلك يعاملون على الوجه الآتي :-
1- إذا وجدوا أهلاً للترقية أوصي بترقيتهم وأدرجت أسماؤهم بكشف المرشحين للترقية ووضعوا في أقدميتهم الأصلية في كشف الأقدمية الأصلي.
2- إذا وجدوا غير أهل للترقية فلا يوصى بترقيتهم.
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 24 explained in plain English
This article governs the classification of officers of the ranks of lieutenant colonel, colonel and brigadier for purposes of promotion.
(a) The three categories:
- The first category: those who have completed their qualification and are recommended for promotion.
- The second category: those who have not completed their qualification, but whose promotion is recommended once they complete it.
- The third category: those whose promotion is not recommended.
(b) Treatment of the second category: officers in this category are notified of the need to complete their qualification. When a year has passed from their notification they are treated as follows:
- If they are found fit for promotion: their promotion is recommended, their names are placed on the list of candidates for promotion, and they are placed in their original seniority on the original seniority list.
- If they are found unfit for promotion: their promotion is not recommended.
The important practical effect for the second category is that one who completes his qualification within the period and is found fit does not lose his position, as he is returned to his original seniority. One who is not found fit is not recommended for promotion.
The article does not explain what follows from remaining in the third category, or who carries out the classification. Anyone classified in a category he believes does not suit his case may consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases and military service matters.
Practical example
Lieutenant Colonel Raed was classified in the second category because he had not completed one of the required courses, and was notified of the need to complete his qualification. He completed the course before a year passed from the notification and was found fit for promotion, so his promotion was recommended, his name was placed on the list of candidates, and he returned to his original seniority.
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 24 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
What are the categories of lieutenant colonels, colonels and brigadiers for promotion?
The first category is those who have completed their qualification and are recommended for promotion; the second is those who have not completed their qualification and are recommended for promotion once they do; the third is those whose promotion is not recommended.
What happens to an officer in the second category?
He is notified of the need to complete his qualification, and after a year from notification his promotion is recommended and he is placed in his original seniority if found fit; otherwise his promotion is not recommended.
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 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 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.