Article 4 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
المادة 4 من نظام خدمة الضباط · الفصل الثاني: التعيين
The article sets the conditions for appointing an officer: Saudi origin and upbringing, completion of 19 years, medical fitness and freedom from disease, the required qualifications, good character, and no sentence for a hadd offense or a crime involving moral turpitude.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
يشترط في تعيين الضابط توفر الشروط التالية :
أ- أن يكون سعودي الأصل والمنشأ ويستثنى من شرط المنشأ من نشأ مع والده أثناء خدمته للدولة خارج المملكة.
ب- قد أكمل التاسعة عشرة من عمره.
ج- أن يكون لائقاً طبياً وسالماً من الأمراض المعدية ومن الأمراض والعاهات الجسمية والعقلية.
د- أن يكون حائزاً على المؤهلات المطلوبة في هذا النِظام.
هـ- أن يكون حسن الأخلاق والسمعة وغير محكوم عليه بحد شرعي أو في جريمة مخلة بالشرف أو الأمانة.
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 4 explained in plain English
This article sets out the conditions that must be met by everyone appointed an officer. There are five:
- Nationality: he must be Saudi by origin and upbringing, with an exception from the upbringing condition for one who was raised with his father while his father was serving the State outside the Kingdom. This wording is in force by Royal Decree No. (M/6) dated 21/3/1403 AH.
- Age: he must have completed nineteen years of age.
- Health: he must be medically fit, and free from contagious diseases and from physical and mental diseases and defects.
- Qualification: he must hold the qualifications required under this Law.
- Conduct: he must be of good character and reputation, and not sentenced for a hadd offense or for a crime involving moral turpitude or breach of trust.
Note that the age condition in this article is a minimum only, as no maximum age is stated. The qualification condition is also not detailed in the article, which refers it to "the qualifications required under this Law."
In practical terms, all these conditions must be met together, and failing any of them prevents appointment. Anyone with a previous sentence or a health condition who wants to know its effect on his acceptance may consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases and military service matters.
Practical example
Samer finished secondary school at the age of 18 and applied for appointment as an officer. Under paragraph (b) he must have completed nineteen years of age, so he does not meet this condition until he does, in addition to the other conditions such as medical fitness and qualification.
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 4 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
What age is required for appointment as an officer?
The article requires the candidate to have completed nineteen years of age.
Can someone with a previous sentence be accepted as an officer?
The article requires that he not be sentenced for a hadd offense or for a crime involving moral turpitude or breach of trust.
Must an officer be Saudi by upbringing?
Yes, with an exception from the upbringing condition for one who was raised with his father while his father was serving the State outside the Kingdom.
Amendment history
Royal Decree No. M/6 — 21/3/1403 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
- عُّدلت فقرة (أ) وذلك بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم (م/6) وتاريخ 1403/3/21هـ، لتكون بالصيغة الآتية: (أن يكون سعودي الأصل والمنشأ ويستثنى من شرط المنشأ من نشأ مع والده أثناء خدمته للدولة خارج المملكة).
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
يشترط في تعيين الضابط توفر الشروط التالية :
أ- أن يكون سعودي الأصل والمنشأ والولادة ويستثنى من شرط المنشأ والولادة من ولد أو نشأ مع والده أثناء خدمته للدولة خارج المملكة.
ب- قد أكمل التاسعة عشرة من عمره.
ج- أن يكون لائقاً طبياً وسالماً من الأمراض المعدية ومن الأمراض والعاهات الجسمية والعقلية.
د- أن يكون حائزاً على المؤهلات المطلوبة في هذا النِظام.
هـ- أن يكون حسن الأخلاق والسمعة وغير محكوم عليه بحد شرعي أو في جريمة مخلة بالشرف أو الأمانة.
More articles on Conditions for Appointing Officers
- Article 5
The article provides that an officer is appointed by decision of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, on the proposal of the Prime Minister and after the recommendation of the Minister.
يتم التعيين بقرار من القائد الأعلى للقوات المسلحة بناءً على اقتراح رئيس مجلس الوزراء وبعد توصية الوزير.
- Article 6
The article sets who is appointed with the rank of second lieutenant: graduates of Saudi military colleges and their equivalents, equivalent foreign institutions, and colleges and institutes whose specializations the Armed Forces need, with an exception possible by Council of Ministers decision.
1- يعين في رتبة الملازم :- أ- خريجو الكليات العسكرية أو المؤسسات العسكرية السعودية التي تعادل شهاداتها شهادات الكليات العسكرية السعودية. ب- خريجو الكليات أو الم
- Article 7
For graduates of colleges and institutes under paragraphs (b) and (c) of Article 6, the article counts study years beyond three as seniority, and requires paragraph (c) graduates to pass a military course to continue.
بالنسبة للمتخرج من الكليات والمعاهد المنصوص عليها في الفقرتين (ب،ج) من المادة السادسة إذا كانت سنوات الدراسة المقررة للكلية أو المعهد تزيد على ثلاث سنوات فتحتسب
- Article 8
The article puts a second lieutenant on probation for two years, then a third year in another unit if his confidential reports are unsatisfactory, after which he is dispensed with, without rights, if they remain so.
يعتبر الضابط المعين في رتبة ملازم تحت الاختبار لمدة سنتين فإذا كانت تقاريره السرية غير مرضية ينقل إلى وحدة أخرى لمدة سنة ثالثة فإذا كانت تقاريره عند نهايتها غير
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.