Article 44 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
المادة 44 من نظام خدمة الضباط · الفصل الأول: الاختيار والنقل
The Article requires returning an officer serving outside his arm or specialty to it before the set period ends if he fails the promotion exam, receives an unsatisfactory efficiency report, or as a disciplinary penalty.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجب إعادة الضابط العامل خارج سلاحه أو اختصاصه إلى سلاحه أو اختصاصه قبل انتهاء المدة المحددة في الحالات الآتية :-
أ- إذا قصر في امتحان الترقية.
ب- إذا كتب عنه تقرير كفاءة غير مرضي.
ج- إذا رؤي اتخاذ هذا الإجراء كعقوبة تأديبية.
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 44 explained in plain English
This Article deals with the case of an officer serving outside his arm or specialty, and requires that he be returned to his arm or specialty before the set period ends in three cases:
- (a) If he fell short in the promotion exam.
- (b) If an unsatisfactory efficiency report was written about him.
- (c) If it is considered appropriate to take this measure as a disciplinary penalty.
The Article is worded "must", so return is mandatory in cases (a) and (b) once the case is established. Case (c) depends on this measure being "considered appropriate" as a disciplinary penalty, that is, on the assessment of the competent authority.
In practice, serving outside the arm or specialty is conditional on good performance: falling short in the promotion exam or an unsatisfactory report ends this period early. Return may also be used as a disciplinary sanction.
The Article does not specify the "set period" of service outside the arm, or the authority that decides the return. Note that an unsatisfactory report is, according to the text, sufficient reason for return.
An officer who has been returned to his arm and believes the reason is not established may consider consulting a lawyer specializing in administrative cases and military service matters.
Practical example
Major Muhannad serves in an administrative post outside his arm for a set period of three years, and after one year an unsatisfactory efficiency report is written about him. Under paragraph (b), he must be returned to his arm before the three years end.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentAdministrative Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Administrative Law (Board of Grievances) lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Al-Safwa Law Office and Legal Consultancy
Frequently asked questions about Article 44 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
When is an officer returned to his arm before his period of service outside it ends?
If he falls short in the promotion exam, an unsatisfactory efficiency report is written about him, or it is considered appropriate to take this measure as a disciplinary penalty.
Can returning an officer to his arm be a penalty?
Yes. Paragraph (c) provides for this if it is considered appropriate to take this measure as a disciplinary penalty.
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 41
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.
يخدم الضابط في الوحدات الميدانية أطول مدة ممكنة ولا ينقل منها أو من السلاح الذي يعمل فيه إلا عند الضرورة القصوى.
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.