Article 30 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
المادة 30 من نظام خدمة الضباط · الفصل الأول: القواعد العامة للترقية
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجوز بقرار من القائد الأعلى للقوات المسلحة عدم التقيد بقواعد الترقية المنصوص عليها في هذا النظَام في حالتي الحرب والتعبئة العامة.
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 30 explained in plain English
This article gives the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces an exceptional power in two specified circumstances:
- A state of war.
- A state of general mobilization.
In these two cases it is permitted, by his decision, not to be bound by the promotion rules provided for in the Law.
In practical terms, the usual promotion rules in the Law can be set aside in these two cases when a decision to that effect is issued by the Supreme Commander.
Note the following:
- The exception does not arise automatically upon the existence of war or mobilization; a decision of the Supreme Commander must be issued.
- Its scope is the promotion rules, so under this article it does not extend to other provisions of the Law.
- The article uses the word "may," so it is a discretionary power.
The article does not define a state of war or general mobilization, and does not set how long the exception applies. Anyone whose position is affected by a decision issued on the basis of this article 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 30 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
Do the rules for promoting officers change in war?
By decision of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, it is permitted not to be bound by the promotion rules in the Law in cases of war and general mobilization.
Does the exception arise automatically in war?
The article requires a decision to be issued by the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
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 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 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.