Article 34 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
المادة 34 من نظام خدمة الضباط · الفصل الثاني: الأسبقية في القيادة
The article provides that holders of original ranks precede holders of temporary ranks, and that precedence among holders of temporary ranks is by seniority in their original ranks, not by the date of their promotion to the temporary ranks.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
الضباط الحائزون على رتب أصلية يسبقون الضباط الحائزين على رتب وقتية وتكون الأسبقية للضباط الحائزين على رتبة وقتية فيما بينهم بحسب أقدميتهم في رتبهم الأصلية وليس بحسب تاريخ ترقيتهم إلى الرتب الوقتية.
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 34 explained in plain English
This article completes the rules of precedence, and deals with the relationship between original ranks and temporary ranks, in two rules:
First: original before temporary. Officers holding original ranks precede officers holding temporary ranks. If two officers are equal in the apparent rank, and one holds it as an original rank and the other temporarily, precedence goes to the holder of the original rank.
Second: among holders of temporary ranks. Precedence among them is according to their seniority in their original ranks, and not according to the date of their promotion to the temporary ranks.
In practical terms, the temporary rank does not give its holder precedence over one who holds the same rank as an original rank. Nor does one who was given a temporary rank before his colleague precede him for that reason alone; the criterion is each one's seniority in his original rank.
The officer's original order among his colleagues therefore remains the reference for precedence even while he holds a temporary rank.
Anyone with a dispute over precedence because of a temporary rank may consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases and military service matters.
Practical example
Lieutenant Colonel Walid holds his rank as an original rank, and Lieutenant Colonel Hisham holds it as a temporary rank for occupying a particular post. Precedence goes to Walid. If two officers hold the temporary rank of lieutenant colonel, the one with precedence is the senior in his original rank, not the one who was given the temporary rank first.
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 34 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
Does the holder of a temporary rank precede the holder of an original rank?
No. Officers holding original ranks precede those holding temporary ranks.
How is precedence determined among holders of temporary ranks?
According to their seniority in their original ranks, not according to the date of their promotion to the temporary ranks.
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 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.
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.