Article 41 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
المادة 41 من نظام خدمة الضباط · الفصل الأول: الاختيار والنقل
The Article provides that an officer serves in field units for the longest possible period and is not transferred from them, or from the arm he serves in, except in case of extreme necessity.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يخدم الضابط في الوحدات الميدانية أطول مدة ممكنة ولا ينقل منها أو من السلاح الذي يعمل فيه إلا عند الضرورة القصوى.
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 41 explained in plain English
This Article lays down a principle in the distribution of officers, with two elements:
- An officer serves in field units for the longest possible period.
- He is not transferred from field units or from the arm he serves in except in case of extreme necessity.
In practice, the rule is that the officer remains in the field and in his arm, and that transfer from either is an exception needing strong justification. The phrase "extreme necessity" indicates a high degree of need; mere suitability or preference is not enough.
Note that the Article protects two things together: field service, and remaining in the arm. A transfer from a field unit to a non-field one, or from one arm to another, is in both cases restricted by extreme necessity.
The Article does not define "extreme necessity" or specify who assesses it. Nor does it set a minimum or maximum period for field service, using instead the phrase "the longest possible period".
This Article affects an officer who wishes to move to non-field work, since it makes remaining in the field the rule. An officer with a question about his transfer or remaining in post may consider consulting 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 41 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
When may an officer be transferred from a field unit?
He is not transferred from it, or from the arm he serves in, except in case of extreme necessity.
How long does an officer serve in field units?
The Article provides that he serves in them for the longest possible period, without specifying a number of years.
More articles on Officer Transfer, Secondment and Loan
- Article 35
The article provides that the Chief of the General Staff is selected by order of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
يتم اختيار رئيس هيئة الأركان العامة بأمر من القائد الأعلى للقوات المسلحة.
- Article 36Amended (1438 AH)
The article provides that the Deputy Chief of the General Staff and the commanders of the Land, Air, Naval, Air Defense and Strategic Missile Forces are selected by order of the Supreme Commander on the recommendation of the Minister of Defense.
يتم اختيار نائب رئيس هيئة الأركان العامة وقائد القوات البرية وقائد القوات الجوية وقائد القوات البحرية وقائد قوات الدفاع الجوي وقائد قوة الصواريخ الاستراتيجية بأ
- Article 38
The Article bars appointing an officer to a leadership post unless fully qualified, and provides that where more than one officer is nominated, the more competent officers are preferred.
لا يعين الضباط في منصب قيادي ما لم يكن تام التأهيل وإذا رشح أكثر من ضابط لتولي منصب قيادي فيفضل اختيار الضباط الأكفاء.
- Article 39
The Article provides that officers of all ranks are transferred outside their arm or specialty on the recommendation of the Higher Officers Committee.
يجري نقل الضباط على اختلاف رتبهم خارج السلاح أوالاختصاص بتوصية من لجنة الضباط العليا.
- Article 40Amended (1409 AH)
The Article provides that transfer and confirmation of officers within each force is on the recommendation of the Higher Officers Committee for the rank of lieutenant colonel and above, and by decision of the force commander for major and below.
يجري نقل واثبات الضباط داخل كل قوة بالقوات المسلحة على الوجه الآتي: 1- من رتبة مقدم فما فوق بتوصية من لجنة الضباط العليا. 2- من رتبة رائد فما دون بقرار من قائد
- Article 42
The Article permits an officer to fill a post of a rank higher than his own, provided the difference does not exceed two ranks.
يجوز أن يشغل الضابط وظيفة ذات رتبة أعلى من رتبته على أن لا تتجاوز رتبتين على الأكثر.
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.