Iraq issues new promotion rules for wounded and ill officers

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Chief of General Staff has issued new directives under the July 2026 promotion calendar, setting out the terms under which officers between the ranks of lieutenant and colonel can advance. A security source said the framework determines which officers meet the conditions for promotion and establishes new administrative positions to accommodate those not currently assigned to a post. The directives include specific exceptions for wounded and ill officers. Officers with a disability rating of 25 percent or above will be eligible for promotion from lieutenant to lieutenant colonel without meeting the standard position requirement. For officers classified as ill, the threshold is set at 40 percent or above. New provisions were also introduced for colonels. Those with a 30 percent disability rating will be exempt from the position requirement, while colonels rated 50 percent or above may be promoted to brigadier general. At the brigadier general level, officers who have completed the six-year legal service period and reach an 80 percent disability rating can be elevated to major general without meeting the position condition.