Article 26 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
المادة 26 من نظام خدمة الضباط · الفصل الأول: القواعد العامة للترقية
The article retires a major general who has spent three years without an order extending his service, and allows extension for renewable periods by decision of the Supreme Commander unless he reaches retirement age.
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 اللواء ثلاث سنوات في الخدمة ولم يصدر امر بتمديد خدمته فيحال للتقاعد ويجوز مد خدمته ستين قابلة للتجديد عدة مرات وذلك بقرار من القائد الأعلى للقوات المسلحة بناء على اقتراح رئيس مجلس الوزراء وبعد توصية الوزير مالم يبلغ سن التقاعد في رتبته قبل ذلك.
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 26 explained in plain English
This article governs the period of service of a major general, and its provisions are:
The rule: if a major general has spent three years in service and no order extending his service has been issued, he is retired.
Extension: his service may be extended for a period renewable several times; the official text uses the word "ستين" (literally "sixty"), and an editorial note on this page explains that what appears to be meant is two years. The extension 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.
The limit: all of this applies unless he reaches retirement age in his rank before that; reaching retirement age ends the service even if the period has not been completed or there is an extension.
In practical terms, a major general's service is limited in time and does not continue automatically after it, but needs an express order of extension from the highest level. The phrase "and no order extending his service has been issued" is understood to mean that the absence of the order means retirement.
This wording is in force by Royal Decree No. (M/58) dated 30/11/1403 AH. The article does not set the retirement age itself. Anyone who wants to know his position precisely 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.
How we write and review contentAdministrative Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Administrative Law (Board of Grievances) lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Al-Safwa Law Office and Legal Consultancy
Frequently asked questions about Article 26 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
How many years does an officer serve with the rank of major general?
If a major general has spent three years in service and no order extending his service has been issued, he is retired.
Who has the power to extend a major general's service?
The extension 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, unless he reaches retirement age in his rank.
Amendment history
Royal Decree No. M/58 — 30/11/1403 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
- عُّدلت هذه المادة وذلك بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم (م/58) وتاريخ 1403/11/30هـ، ليصبح نصها كما يلي: إذا أمضى اللواء ثلاث سنوات في الخدمة ولم يصدر امر بتمديد خدمته فيحال للتقاعد ويجوز مد خدمته ستين قابلة للتجديد عدة مرات وذلك بقرار من القائد الأعلى للقوات المسلحة بناء على اقتراح رئيس مجلس الوزراء وبعد توصية الوزير مالم يبلغ سن التقاعد في رتبته قبل ذلك.
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
اذا امضى اللواء سنتين في الخدمة ولم يصدر امر بتمديد خدمته فيحال للتقاعد ويجوز مد خدمته سنة فأخرى على ان لاتزيد مدة خدمته في هذه الرتبة عن ست سنوات وذلك بقرار من القائد الاعلى للقوات المسلحة بناء على اقتراح رئيس مجلس الوزراء وبعد توصية الوزير مالم يبلغ سن التقاعد في رتبته قبل ذلك .
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 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
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.