Article 45 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
المادة 45 من نظام خدمة الضباط · الفصل الأول: الاختيار والنقل
The Article permits transferring a major, and a captain who has spent at least two years in rank, from his unit to command and staff posts, technical or administrative posts, leadership qualification, and in emergencies and war.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجوز نقل الضابط من رتبة رائد وكذا النقيب الذي أمضى سنتين على الأقل في رتبته من وحدته في الحالات الآتية :
أ- إثباته في إحدى وظائف القيادة والأركان.
ب- إثباته في إحدى الوظائف الفنية أو الإدارية.
ج- تأهيله لمنصب قيادي.
د- في حالات الطوارئ والحرب.
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 45 explained in plain English
This Article sets out the cases in which an officer may be transferred from his unit, and concerns two categories:
- An officer of the rank of major.
- A captain who has spent at least two years in his rank.
They may be transferred from their unit in the following cases:
- (a) Confirming him in one of the command and staff posts.
- (b) Confirming him in one of the technical or administrative posts.
- (c) Qualifying him for a leadership post.
- (d) In emergencies and war.
Note that the condition for a captain here is spending at least two years in his rank, as the text states. The Article uses the word "may", so it defines the cases in which transfer is permitted and does not require transfer once they are met.
In practice, transferring a major or a captain who meets the condition from his unit must rest on one of these four cases. The Article does not specify the authority that issues the transfer decision in these cases.
An officer who has been transferred from his unit and believes the transfer does not rest on one of these cases may consider consulting a lawyer specializing in administrative cases and military service matters.
Practical example
Captain Maher has spent three years in his rank and is nominated for a post on the General Staff. He may be transferred from his unit under paragraph (a), for confirmation in one of the command and staff posts, because he is a captain who has spent more than two years in his rank.
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 45 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
When may a major be transferred from his unit?
To be confirmed in command and staff posts or technical or administrative posts, to be qualified for a leadership post, or in emergencies and war.
May a captain be transferred from his unit?
Yes, in the same cases, if he has spent at least two years in his rank.
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.