Article 29 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
المادة 29 من نظام خدمة الضباط · الفصل الأول: القواعد العامة للترقية
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 بالأقدمية العامة أو القيد الزمني المقرر للرتبة إذا قام الضابط بأعمال مجيدة في ميدان القتال أو في الخدمة العسكرية.
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 29 explained in plain English
This article provides for the exceptional promotion of an officer, and its elements are:
- The reason: that the officer performs distinguished acts on the battlefield or in military service.
- The extent: promotion to the rank next above his own, that is, one rank.
- The exception: without being bound by general seniority or the time limit prescribed for the rank.
- The authority: by decision of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces on the proposal of the Prime Minister and the recommendation of the Minister.
This means that an officer who performs a distinguished act can be promoted before he completes the minimum period prescribed for his rank, and ahead of those who precede him on the seniority list.
Note that the text specifies what is not binding in this promotion, namely general seniority and the time limit, and does not mention exemption from anything else. Promotion is also to the rank immediately next, not more than one rank.
Exceptional promotion is permissive, in the wording "may," so it is not an automatic right of everyone who performs a distinguished act but depends on the decision of the Supreme Commander. The article does not set criteria for distinguished acts. Anyone who believes he has performed work deserving this exception may consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases and military service matters.
Practical example
Captain Yasser led his unit in a difficult combat situation with notable courage that protected his colleagues and a vital installation. He may be promoted exceptionally to major by decision of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, without waiting to complete the period prescribed for the rank of captain, and without being bound by his place on the seniority list.
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 29 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
Can an officer be promoted before completing the prescribed period?
Yes, exceptionally, if he performs distinguished acts on the battlefield or in military service, by decision of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
What is not binding in an officer's exceptional promotion?
General seniority and the time limit prescribed for the rank.
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 28
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.
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
- 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.