Article 28 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
المادة 28 من نظام خدمة الضباط · الفصل الأول: القواعد العامة للترقية
The article makes promotion to the rank of general by absolute selection by decision of the Supreme Commander, and the ending of the service of a lieutenant general and a general by his decision, on the proposal of the Prime Minister and the recommendation of the Minister.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تكون الترقية إلى رتبة فريق أول بالاختيار المطلق بقرار من القائد الأعلى للقوات المسلحة بناء على اقتراح رئيس مجلس الوزراء وتوصية الوزير وتنهى خدمة الفريق والفريق أول بقرار من القائد الأعلى للقوات المسلحة بناءً على اقتراح رئيس مجلس الوزراء وتوصية 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 28 explained in plain English
This article deals with the highest officer rank, the rank of general, and contains two provisions:
First: promotion to general.
- It is by absolute selection.
- By decision of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
- On the proposal of the Prime Minister and the recommendation of the Minister.
Second: ending the service of a lieutenant general and a general. Their service is ended by decision of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces on the proposal of the Prime Minister and the recommendation of the Minister.
Note that the article sets no specific conditions for the rank of general, such as a minimum period in the previous rank or a term of holding the rank; the text is limited to providing that promotion is by absolute selection and to the authority responsible for it. "Absolute selection" means the matter is left to the discretion of the competent authority.
Ending the service for these two ranks likewise goes through the same stages: the Minister's recommendation, the Prime Minister's proposal, and the decision of the Supreme Commander. Under Article 2 the Minister is the Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General.
This article concerns senior command ranks, and shows that the decision in them is within the competence of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. Anyone with a question about its application 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 28 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
How is promotion to the rank of general made?
By absolute selection, by decision of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces on the proposal of the Prime Minister and the recommendation of the Minister.
Who ends the service of a lieutenant general and a general?
Their service is ended by decision of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces on the proposal of the Prime Minister and the recommendation of the Minister.
More articles on Exceptional Promotion and Temporary and Honorary Ranks
- Article 27Amended (1429 AH)
The article makes promotion to lieutenant general by absolute selection by order of the Supreme Commander from among major generals who have spent at least four years, with a term of four years renewable for up to four more.
تكون الترقية إلى رتبة فريق بالاختيار المطلق بأمر من القائد الأعلى لكافة القوات العسكرية بناءً على اقتراح رئيس مجلس الوزراء وتوصية الوزير وذلك من بين الضباط الحا
- Article 29
The article permits the exceptional promotion of an officer to the next rank by decision of the Supreme Commander, without being bound by seniority or the time limit, if he performs distinguished acts on the battlefield or in military service.
يجوز ترقية الضباط إلى الرتبة التي تلي رتبته بصورة استثنائية بقرار من القائد الأعلى للقوات المسلحة بناء على اقتراح رئيس مجلس الوزراء وتوصية الوزير دون التقييد با
- Article 30
The article allows the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, by decision, not to be bound by the promotion rules in the Law in cases of war and general mobilization.
يجوز بقرار من القائد الأعلى للقوات المسلحة عدم التقيد بقواعد الترقية المنصوص عليها في هذا النظَام في حالتي الحرب والتعبئة العامة.
- Article 31
The article allows the Minister, on the recommendation of the Supreme Officers Committee, to give an officer a temporary higher rank for a post that requires it; he reverts to his rank on leaving the post, without financial benefits, and its period counts within his original service.
يجوز بقرار من الوزير بناءً على توصية لجنة الضباط العليا أن يمنح الضابط رتبة وقتية تعلو رتبته الأصلية متى عين الضابط في منصب تقضي ظروف الخدمة فيه بذلك الإجراء وي
- Article 32
The article allows the Minister, by decision on the recommendation of the Supreme Officers Committee, to grant honorary ranks to retired officers recalled to military service or to civilians where circumstances require.
يجوز بقرار من الوزير بناءً على توصية لجنة الضباط العليا أن تمنح الرتب الشرفية للضباط المتقاعدين المعادين للخدمة العسكرية أو المدنيين إذا اقتضت الظروف ذلك.
- Article 33
The article orders precedence in command where ranks and seniority are equal: the serving officer, then the serving officer recalled from retirement, then the technical officer, engineer or doctor, then those recalled, then the assigned officer, then the honorary officer.
إذا تساوت الرتب والأقدمية تكون أسبقية القيادة للضباط طبقاً للترتيب الآتي :- 1- الضابط العامل. 2- الضابط العامل المستدعى من التقاعد. 3- الضابط الفني أو المهندس أ
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.