APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE _g S.L.220.03 1
SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 220.03
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS OF 
SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE 
REGULATIONS
29th September, 1970
LEGAL NOTICE 91 of 1970, as amended by Legal Notices 37 of 1973,
20 and 98 of 1975, 42 of 1980, 54 of 1981, 36 and 64 of 1982, 45 of 1983,
10 and 14 of 1984, 47 of 1990, 139 of 1991, 130 of 1998 and 13 of 1999.
Title .
Amended by:
L.N. 37 of 1973.
1. The title of these Regulations is Appointments and
Conditions of Service of the Regular Force Regulations.
Interpretation.
Amended by:
L.N. 37 of 1973.
2.  (1) In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise
requires -
Cap. 220.
S.L. 220.02
"the Act" means the Malta Armed Forces Act;
"Commander" means the Commander, Armed Forces of Malta
appointed under the Designation, Command and Establishment
Order and in his absence or inability to act includes the Deputy
Commander, or other officer appointed to act as Commander,
appointed under the Order aforesaid;
"determine" in relation to the Minister means determine by order
or instruction (whether issued by him or under his authority) or in
such other form or manner, and subject to such publicity, as the
Minister may deem appropriate;
"force" means the regular force;
"reckonable service" includes special reckonable service;
"special reckonable service" means commissioned service and
other reckonable service over the age of eighteen years prior to 1st
October, 1970, in a Maltese unit of the forces of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland by a person who is
commissioned or enlisted in the force with effect from 1st October,
1970, and full-time service, between 1st April, 1965 and 30th
September, 1970, with the territorial force by a person enlisted as
aforesaid;
"recruiting officer" shall be construed in accordance with
regulation 19.
(2) Save as provided in sub-regulation (1), in these Regulations
words and expressions shall have the same meaning as they have in
the Act.
2 _g S.L.220.03
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE
PART I
Officers
Appointments, Promotions, transfers, retirements and transfers 
to reserve
Commissioning of 
officer. 
Amended by:
L.N. 37 of 1973;
L.N. 148 of 1975.
3. (1) Officers shall be commissioned by the President of
Malta acting on the advice of the Minister.
(2) For the purpose of giving advice under this regulation the
Minister may do or cause to be made any one or more of the
following -
( a ) cause to be advertised in the Gazette any vacancies in
the force it is intended to fill;
( b ) call for applications by prospective candidates for
commissions in the force or for entry to a military
academy or similar institution with a view to obtaining
a commission in the force;
( c ) determine the qualifications and other conditions for
the grant of commissions in the force;
( d ) determine the qualifications and other conditions for
entry to a military academy or similar institution;
( e ) determine the qualifications and other conditions for
direct entry into the force as officers and/or the
circumstances in which such direct entry is to take
place;
( f ) determine the rank and seniority in which, and the
period for which, a person will be granted a
commission;
( g ) distinguish between combatant and noncombatant
officers, and make such other distinctions as he may
deem proper;
( h ) make such other provision or arrangement for the
selection, appointment and commissioning of officers
in the force as he may deem appropriate.
(3)  Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-regulation
(2)( e ) all persons serving as officers in a Maltese unit of the forces
of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland on 30th September,
1970, may, if they so elect, be commissioned in the force with
effect from 1st October, 1970, in the same rank and seniority which
they held in the Maltese unit aforesaid and any person so
commissioned shall be allowed to serve until he is due to retire
under these Regulations.
(4) All persons commissioned in the force and who have not
been attested in the force shall, before taking up their duties, take
the oath of allegiance set out in the First Schedule, and such oath
may be administered by the Commander, by a staff officer
designated in that behalf by the Commander, or by a Commissioner
for Oaths.
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE _g S.L.220.03 3
Appointments in 
the force.
Amended by: 
L.N. 37 of 1973.
4. Subject to any modifications and exceptions authorised by
the Minister after consultation with the Commander, the following
provisions of this regulation shall have effect with respect to the
appointments referred to hereunder:
(1) Staff employment - 
( a ) Appointments to the staff in the rank of colonel and
above shall be made by the Minister;
( b ) Appointments to the staff of officers of the rank of
lieutenant colonel and below shall be made by the
Commander;
( c ) The qualifications and procedure for staff
appointment, the tenure of appointment on the staff
and the termination of such appointment shall be such
as the Minister may from time to time determine.
(2)  Adjutant - 
( a ) The appointment of regimental adjutant shall be made
by the Commander upon a report by a commanding
officer of the names of the officers serving under his
command whom he recommends for appointment, and
confirming that the officer has not previously served
as such;
( b ) Subject to any variations authorised by the
Commander in the interest of the service, the tenure of
appointment as adjutant shall be three years; and an
officer shall not, except in exceptional circumstances
and with the prior approval of the Commander have
his term prolonged or serve a second term;
( c ) The relinquishment of an officer’s appointment as
adjutant shall be subject to the approval of the
Commander, who may also terminate such
appointment if he considers such action to be in the
interests of the service.
(3) Officer-in-Charge Records -
( a ) An officer not below the rank of major shall be
appointed by the Commander for duty as Officer-in-
Charge Records in the Finance and Records Office of
the Armed Forces of Malta;
( b ) Subject to any variations authorised by the
Commander in the interests of the service, the tenure
of such appointment shall be three years.
(4) Second-in-Command -
( a ) Where authorised by establishment, a second-in-
command shall be appointed in the units of the force
commanded by a lieutenant-colonel, and such
appointment shall be made by the Commander;
( b ) Subject to any variations authorised by the
Commander in the interests of the service, the tenure
of such appointment shall be not less than two and not
more than three years; 
4 _g S.L.220.03
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE
( c ) The procedure for selection and the rules to be
followed with respect to the selection, posting and
relief of a second-in-command, shall be such as the
Minister may from time to time determine.
(5) Commanding Officer -
( a ) A commanding officer shall be appointed by the
Minister after nominations for command have been
submitted to him by the Commander;
( b ) Appointments shall be by selection and not by
seniority;
( c ) Appointments to command shall be for a period of
three years.
(6)  Other appointments -
Other appointments shall be made by the Commander
in consultation with commanding officers and the
length of tour of duty of any of these appointments
shall be determined by the Commander in the interests
of the service.
(7)  Chaplains -
( a ) Officiating chaplains shall be nominated by the
Minister for such term (renewable at the end thereof)
and under such conditions as he may deem
appropriate;
( b ) The appointment may be terminated by the Minister at
any time or at the request of the chaplain concerned.
Overseas and 
extra-regimental 
employment.
5. (1) Without prejudice to the terms and conditions
contained in their commission and in any other provision relating to
their conditions of service, officers shall be liable to universal
service and to extra-regimental employment:
Provided that a subaltern shall not be extra-regimentally
employed until he has two years’ service.
(2) The normal tour of extra-regimental employment shall not
be less than two and not more than three years, but may be varied
by the Commander in the interests of the service.
Promotion.
Substituted by:
L.N. 37 of 1973;
L.N. 139 of 1991.
6.  (1) Saving the provisions of this regulation in regard to
accelerated promotions, promotion to the ranks specified below
shall be made subject to recommendation based on efficiency,
seniority and selection to fill a vacancy.
A.  Combatant Officers:
Lieutenant
Captain
Major
Lieutenant-Colonel
Colonel
Brigadier
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE _g S.L.220.03 5
B. Non-Combatant Officers:
(i) Captain (Medical Officer)
Major (Medical Officer)
Lieutenant-Colonel (Medical Officer)
(ii) Captain (Quarter Master)
Major (Quarter Master) 
(iii) Air Traffic Control Officer Air Traffic Control,
Officer-in-Charge Assistant Senior Air Traffic Control
Officer, Senior Air Traffic Control Officer.
(2) In exceptional cases, accelerated promotions may be
authorised, in the interests of the service, by the Minister on the
recommendation of the Commander.
Local rank.
( a ) when it is necessary to raise the status of an officer
who, by virtue of his appointment, has to deal with
officers of higher rank of the forces of a foreign
country or senior officials or dignitaries of foreign
governments, or
( b ) to officers who are posted to appointments carrying the
rank of lieutenant-colonel or above from the date of
joining the new unit and for the necessary period of
take over.
(2) Local rank confer no financial benefits unless specific
provision in that behalf is made in any regulations or orders made
under the Act.
(3) Local rank shall be relinquished on the date the holder
thereof ceases to fulfil the function for which local rank was
granted.
Acting rank.
selected to fill a vacancy above his substantive rank in an approved
establishment on a permanent or semi-permanent basis. Acting rank
shall only be granted with the approval of the Minister.
(2) Where acting rank is held for more than twenty-one
consecutive days, pay of a higher rank shall be authorised from the
date of assumption of the acting rank.
(3) Acting rank shall be relinquished when the appointment in
the establishment is downgraded or when the officer ceases to fill
the appointment for which he was given acting rank.
Retention of 
substantive rank 
and honorary rank.
9.  (1) A regular officer who is eligible by length of service
for pension or gratuity, or who retires on account of ill-health
having been reported by the approved medical authority as being
unfit for military service, shall retain his substantive rank on
retirement.
(2) A regular officer who retains his substantive rank under
sub-regulation (1) may be granted the honorary rank equivalent to
the highest acting rank held by him in the force provided such rank
was held by him for an aggregate period of six months.
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APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE
(3) The period of six months aforesaid my be disregarded if
the officer’s service in the acting rank was terminated by wounds or
sickness which involved absence from duty and subsequent
unemployment or cessation of service on the active list.
(4)  The grant of honorary rank shall be granted only if the
officer concerned has given satisfactory service throughout his
career; and an officer may be deprived of his honorary rank on
conviction by a civil court or at the discretion of the Minister.
(5) Honorary rank shall be suspended automatically if an
officer is re-employed on the active list of the regular or territorial
force. At the end of any such service the honorary rank so
suspended may be restored unless the officer has qualified for a
higher honorary rank during that service, in which case the higher
honorary rank may be granted.
Authority to grant 
local, acting or 
honorary rank.
10. A local, acting or honorary rank may, subject to any other
provision of these Regulations, be granted by the same authority
that has power to grant a corresponding substantive rank.
Transfers. 11.   An officer may be compulsorily transferred from one corps
to another according to the exigencies of the service only if -
( a )  a state of war exists between Malta and any foreign
power; or 
( b )  officers of the reserve are called out on permanent
service; or
( c ) the Minister approves the compulsory transfer.
Normal retirement.
Substituted by:
L.N.37 of 1973.
Amended by:
L.N. 64 of 1982;
L.N. 47 of 1990.
12. (1) Except as otherwise provided by or under these
Regulations, an officer shall retire on reaching the age of fifty-five
years but may be allowed to remain on the active list beyond this
age for such period or periods as the Minister may from time to tine
determine:
Provided that an officer shall have the option to retire on,
or on any day after, completion of twenty-five years service,
subject to the officer declaring his intent to retire to the Minister in
writing, through the Commander, not later than three months prior
to his intended date of retirement.
(2) For the purpose of computing the aforementioned twenty-
five years service, the following shall be considered as reckonable
service:
(i) Special reckonable service,
(ii) Service in the force as a "man" of the force.
Cap. 93.
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-regulation (1), a
police officer commissioned in the force on or before the 1st
October, 1982 may opt to retire on any day on which he would have
been entitled to retire had he remained in the Malta Police Force
and all the provisions of the Pensions Ordinance which would have
been applicable to him had he remained in the Malta Police Force
shall be applicable to him on his retirement from the force; and for
the purposes of the said Ordinance service in the force shall count
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE _g S.L.220.03 7
as service in the Malta Police Force.
Voluntary 
retirement.
Amended by:
L.N. 47 of 1990.
13. (1) An officer may, on application, be allowed to retire or
resign prematurely if the exigencies of the service permit:
Provided that an officer will not be allowed to retire or
resign prematurely if he has been warned for overseas service or, if
he has attended a specialist course outside Malta, earlier than such
period, not exceeding five years, commencing with the date of
completion of such course as the Minister may determine.
(2) An officer retiring or resigning voluntarily shall have the
reserve liability specified in regulation 16.
Compulsory 
premature 
retirement.
14. (1) An officer may be called upon to retire or resign or
may be removed at any time by the Commander with the approval
of the Minister on grounds of inefficiency, unsuitability or
misconduct.
(2) An officer may be called upon to retire or resign or may be
removed in manner aforesaid on grounds of non-recommendation
or failure to pass promotion examination in such circumstances and
under such conditions as the Minister may determine.
(3) An officer may be called upon to retire or resign or may be
removed on account of ill-health if an approved medical authority
certifies him as being unfit for military service and that he is likely
to remain so permanently.
Compulsory 
retention beyond 
normal retiring 
age.
15. Where an officer is engaged on active service or on service
in a national emergency, he shall be liable to be compulsorily
retained on the active list beyond his normal retiring age.
Reserve liability.
Amended by:
L.N. 20 of 1975.
16. Officers, other than officers in the Malta Reserve Pioneer
Corps, shall have a liability to serve in the Armed Forces of Malta
Regular Reserve of Officers up to the following ages - 
( a )  Brigadiers and Colonels .......................... 57 years
( b ) Lieutenant-Colonels and below ................  55 years.
Corresponding 
ranks or grades.
Added by:
L.N. 139 of 1991.
17. For the purposes of the Act, any rank or grade specified in
any column of the list set out below is declared to correspond with
the ranks or grades specified in relation to it in the other column of
that list.
Pay, allowances and pensions
Pay and 
allowances.
18. The scales of pay and allowances for officers shall be such
as the Minister may from time to time determine and announce.
Column 
A
Column 
B
Major Senior Air Traffic Control Officer
Assistant Senior Air Traffic Control Officer
Captain Air Traffic Control, Officer-in-Charge
Lieutenant Air Traffic Control Officer.
8 _g S.L.220.03
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE
Pensions and 
gratuities.
Amended by:
L.N. 10 of 1984;
L.N. 47 of 1990.
Cap. 93.
19. Officers commissioned in the force shall, in respect of
service in the force, be eligible to such pension or gratuity as may
be granted under the Pensions Ordinance to an officer holding a
pensionable office in Malta within the meaning of that Ordinance;
and the said Ordinance shall for such purpose apply to officers
commissioned in the force, their widows and legal representatives,
as they apply to an officer holding a pensionable office as
aforesaid, his widow or legal representative, subject to such
adaptations and modifications as may be required and in particular
subject to the modification that the retiring ages for officers
commissioned in the forces are those specified in regulation 12,
and in the application of article 7, article 11(3) and article 18 of the
said Ordinance and of regulations 2, 9, 10 and 14 of the Pensions
Regulations to officers commissioned in the force, those articles
and regulations shall apply as they apply to members of the Police
Force:
Provided that an officer commissioned in the force having
special reckonable service shall qualify for a pension independently
of the length of his reckonable service provided his retirement
takes place under either regulation 12 or regulation 14(3):
Provided further that service in command of the Territorial
Force shall be deemed to be pensionable service.
Pensions to 
officers 
commissioned 
on or after 15th 
January, 1979.
Added by:
L.N.47 of 1990.
20. Officers commissioned on or after the 15th January, 1979
shall be eligible for a pension as may be granted in accordance with
the Articles and Rules contained in the Third Schedule.
PART II
Enlistment, service, promotion, transfer, employment and 
discharge
Recruiting officers. 21. Any officer of the force authorised in that behalf by the
Commander may enlist recruits in the force and such officer shall
be a recruiting officer for the purposes of the Act and of these
Regulations.
Prescribed notice 
and attestation 
paper. 
22.   The notice to be given for the purposes of article 6(1) of
the Act shall be in the form set out in Part 1 of the Second
Schedule, and the attestation paper shall be in the form set out in
Part II of the said Schedule.
Procedure for 
attestation.
23. The procedure for enlisting a person in the force shall be
the following: 
( a ) the recruiting officer shall warn the person to be
enlisted that if he makes any false answer to the
questions to be read out to him he will be liable to be
punished as provided by the Act;
( b ) he shall then read, or cause to be read, to that person
the questions set out in the attestation paper and satisfy
himself that he understands each of those questions
and that his answers thereto have been duly recorded
in the attestation paper;
( c ) he shall then ask that person to make and sign the
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE _g S.L.220.03 9
declaration set out in the attestation paper as to the
truth of the answers and shall administer to him the
oath of allegiance set out in the attestation paper;
( d ) upon signing the declaration and taking the oath the
said person shall become a man of the force;
( e ) the recruiting officer shall by signature attest, in the
manner required by the attestation paper, that the
requirements of the Act as to the attestation of the
recruit have been carried out and shall deliver the
attestation paper duly dated to the Officer-in-Charge
Records;
( f ) when the recruit is finally approved for service by the
commanding officer of the unit responsible for recruit
training, the officer by whom he is approved shall at
his request furnish him with a certified copy of the
attestation paper.
Selection and 
condition for 
engagement.
Substituted by:
L.N. 37 of 1973.
24. (1) Candidates shall be selected in such manner and
during such period or periods as the Minister may from time to time
determine.
(2) Candidates must satisfy such conditions for enlistment as
the Minister may from time to time determine and must be -
( a )  citizens of Malta;
( b ) certified to possess such minimum medical standards
as the Minister may from time to time determine;
( c ) of good conduct.
Enlistment in 
particular corps 
and right to 
purchase 
discharge.
25.   (1) Recruits may, if the Commander so directs (within
generally or in particular cases) be enlisted in particular corps. 
(2) The rights conferred by article 14(1) of the Act shall not be
exercisable by a recruit before the expiration of two months
beginning with the date of his attestation.
Engagement.
Substituted by:
L.N. 37 of 1973;
L.N. 42 of 1980.
Amended by:
L.N. 54 of 1981;
L.N. 36 of 1982;
L.N. 45 of 1983;
L.N. 14 of 1984.
26. (1) Successful candidates shall be enlisted -
( a ) on an initial engagement of three years with the
colours to count from the date of attestation or the
eighteenth birthday whichever is the later, or
( b ) on a five year engagement with the colours to count
from the date of attestation, or
( c ) where a man enlists on secondment from the public
service, on a three year engagement with the colours to
count from the date of attestation, or
( d ) on a fourteen month engagement with the colours to
count from the date of attestation, or
( e ) on an eighteen month engagement with the colours to
count from the date of attestation, or
( f ) on a twelve month engagement with the colours to
count from the date of attestation,
as the Minister may determine:
10 _g S.L.220.03
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE
Provided that the engagement shall be deemed to be
completed -
(i) in the case of candidates who are enlisted on a
five year engagement but are over fifty-five
years of age on the date of enlistment, on their
attaining the age of sixty-one years or on
completion of the said period of engagement
whichever is the earlier; but such candidates
may opt to terminate their engagement on
attaining the age of sixty years;
(ii) in the case of candidates who are enlisted on a
three year engagement on secondment from the
public service on the date on which they are
recalled to the public service.
(2) There shall be no terminal benefits and, subject to the
provisions of sub-regulation (3) and (4), there shall be no reserve
liability on completion of -
( a ) the initial engagement of three years, or
( b ) the five year engagement, or 
( c ) the three year engagement, or,
( d ) the fourteen month engagement, or
( e ) the eighteen month engagement, or
( f ) the twelve month engagement,
referred to in sub-regulation (1).
(3) Male soldiers enlisted on a fourteen month engagement
shall have a reserve liability of ten years from the date of
termination of their engagement:
Provided that male soldiers enlisted before 1st day of June,
1982 may be accepted for service in the reserve for such term.
(4) Male and female soldiers enlisted on a twelve or eighteen
month engagement shall have a reserve liability of twenty years
from the date of termination of their engagement.
Re-engagement to 
complete 12 years’ 
service.
27.   (1) Such percentage of men enlisted on an initial
engagement under the immediately foregoing regulation as the
Minister may, according to the exigencies of the service, determine,
may be allowed to serve for a second engagement of nine years.
(2) A man who is allowed to serve for a second engagement as
aforesaid may, at the end of every three year period terminate his
service by giving a six months’ notice of his intention to terminate
his service to his commanding officer.
(3) A man who is allowed to serve for a second engagement as
aforesaid shall have a reserve liability equal to the balance, if any,
of nine years service uncompleted.
Re-engagement to 
complete 22 years’ 
service.
28.   (1) Subject to the exigencies of the service, such
percentage of men on re-engagement under the immediately
foregoing regulation as the Minister may, according to the
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE _g S.L.220.03 11
exigencies of the service, determine, may be allowed to serve for a
third engagement of ten years to complete twenty-two years’
service.
(2) A man serving a third engagement may, at the end of
fifteen years’ service, terminate his service by giving a six months’
notice of his intention to terminate his service to his commanding
officer; and a man with sixteen years reckonable service may
terminate his service at any time upon giving three months’ notice
as aforesaid.
(3) A man on a third engagement shall have a reserve liability
equal to the balance, if any, of twenty-two years’ service
uncompleted.
Maximum reserve 
liability for men.
Added by:
L.N. 64 of 1982.
29. A man shall not have any reserve liability beyond the age
of 55 years.
Termination of 
engagement at the 
age of 55 years.
Added by:
L.N. 10 of 1984.
30.  Notwithstanding any other provision of these regulations a
man of the force shall have his engagement terminated on reaching
the age of fifty-five years, but may be allowed to remain on the
active list beyond this age for such period or periods as the Minister
may, from time to time, determine.
Continuance 
beyond 22 years’ 
service.
Amended by:
L.N. 37 of 1973.
31. Such percentage of men on a twenty-two years’
engagement as the Minister may, according to the exigencies of the
service, determine, may be allowed to continue their service
beyond twenty-two years on a yearly basis until the age of fifty-
five years but may be allowed to continue their service beyond this
age for such period or periods as the Minister may from time to
time determine.
Purchase of 
discharge.
32. Discharge from colour service, except at option points as
provided in the foregoing provisions of these Regulations, may be
purchased in such circumstances and against such payment as the
Minister may from time to time determine.
Special promotions 
for men enlisting 
with special 
reckonable service.
33. (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of these
Regulations, any person who on 30th September 1970 was serving
with a Maltese unit of the forces of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern Ireland or was serving full-time with the
territorial force and who elects to join the force with effect from 1st
October, 1970, may, on such latter date be attested in accordance
with the Act and with these Regulations and any person so attested
shall be enlisted under the following terms:
( a ) all such persons (irrespective of their type of
engagement) shall be deemed to have been originally
enlisted on a twenty-two year engagement and shall be
allowed to serve in the force for any balance of service
which would enable them to complete a total of
twenty-two years service, inclusive of all special
reckonable service and, thereafter, may be allowed to
continue that engagement on a yearly basis until the
age of fifty-five years or until such subsequent age as
the Minister may from time to time determine;
( b ) any such person who completes his twenty-two years
12 _g S.L.220.03
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE
service (reckoned as aforesaid) before his fifty-fifth
birthday may be allowed to continue in the service up
to the age or until such subsequent age as the Minister
may from time to time determine subject to the current
quota permitted for such extensions;
( c ) any such person shall be allowed to serve beyond his
fifty-fifth birthday or beyond such subsequent age as
the Minister may from time to time determine if this
should occur before he has fully completed a total of
twenty-two years’ service reckoned as aforesaid, until
such total service is completed;
( d ) any such person may opt to be discharged from colour
service at the end of six years’ reckonable service and
at the end of any succeeding three year period, by
giving six months’ notice of his intention to terminate
his service to his commanding officer; and any such
person with sixteen years reckonable service may
terminate his service at any time upon giving three
months’ notice as aforesaid;
( e ) the reserve liability of any such person will be -
(i) of six years if the discharge is at the end of six
years’ reckonable service;
(ii) of three years if the discharge is at the end of
nine years’ reckonable service;
(iii) the balance of twenty-two years’ service
uncompleted if the discharge is at the end of
twelve years or more reckonable service;
( f ) all such persons holding substantive or acting warrant
officer or non-commissioned officer rank in the
Maltese unit aforesaid on 30th September, 1970 will
be granted the same rank and seniority in the force
with effect from 1st October, 1970;
( g ) in all other respects these Regulations shall apply:
Provided that -
(i) any such person who is over the age of twenty-
six years but under the age of thirty-five years
shall be enlisted for a twelve year engagement,
inclusive of all special reckonable service;
(ii) any such person who is over the age of thirty-
five years shall be enlisted for a twelve year
engagement commencing on 1st October, 1970,
and, thereafter may be allowed to continue that
engagement on a yearly basis until the age of
fifty-five years or until such subsequent age as
the Minister may from time to time determine.
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE _g S.L.220.03 13
Special conditions 
for men enlisting 
from the Malta 
Police Force. 
Added by:
L.N. 64 of 1982.
Cap. 93.
34. A police officer enlisted in the force on or before the 1st
October, 1982 may opt to terminate his service on any day on
which he would have been entitled to retire had he remained in the
Malta Police Force and all the provisions of the Pensions
Ordinance which would have been applicable to him had he
remained in the Malta Police Force shall be applicable to him on
his termination of service from the force; and for the purposes of
the said Ordinance service in the force shall count as service in the
Malta Police Force.
Men of the force 
may retire after 25 
years service.
Added by:
L.N. 47 of 1990.
35. (1) A man of the force shall have the option to retire on,
or on any day after, completion of twenty-five years service
irrespective of any engagement to which he is committed at the
time, on giving three months notice of his intention to retire in
writing, to the Commander through his Commanding Officer,
accordingly.
(2) For the purposes of sub-regulation (1), special reckonable
service shall be considered as service for the computation of the
twenty-five years service.
Junior leaders.
half years, and possessing all such other qualifications as the
Minister may from time to time determine may be accepted into the
force for training as future non-commissioned officers.
(2) Boys shall be engaged for a term of service with the
colours up to the age of eighteen years and thereafter for twelve
years with the colours. Further engagement and continuance shall
be in accordance with regulations applicable to men of the force.
(3) In respect of boys engaged as aforesaid, man’s service
commences on their attaining the age of seventeen and a half years:
Provided that service with the colours for twelve years
shall commence from the eighteenth birthday.
(4) Service with the colours may be terminated, after the age
of eighteen years, at the end of six years’ and at the end of nine
years’ service.
(5) The reserve liability of persons engaged as aforesaid shall,
if option to terminate man’s service is exercised, be the balance of
uncompleted service with the colours.
Promotion.
Amended by:
L.N.37 of 1973.
37. (1) Promotion shall be made subject to recommendation
based on efficiency, seniority, qualifications and selection to fill a
vacancy.
(2) Subject to these Regulations, the procedure to be followed,
the tests to be passed, the military and other qualifications required,
the age limits to be observed and other conditions for promotion
shall be such as the Minister may from time to time determine.
(3) Outstanding warrant officers and noncommissioned
officers may be considered for accelerated promotion provided
that, in addition to any requirements required under the foregoing
sub-regulations, they have earned at least two recommendations for
accelerated promotion in three consecutive annual confidential
reports.
14 _g S.L.220.03
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE
(4) Reckonable service shall be allowed to reckon for
promotion.
Establishment of 
W.O.s and N.C.O.s 
and acting and 
local ranks.
38.  (1) The Commander shall from time to time lay down the
percentage of the establishment of warrant officers and non-
commissioned officers which may be filled by substantive ranks.
(2) Any balance which is not filled by substantive ranks and
any deficiency resulting from holders of substantive ranks being
temporarily non-effective may be made up by the grant, subject to
the control of the Officer-in-Charge Records, of acting rank in
accordance with the provisions contained in instructions issued for
this purpose by the Commander.
(3) Acting rank may be retained during a period of probation
which includes an army course.
(4) Authority for the grant of local rank may be given by the
Commander under the circumstances stipulated in the instructions
aforesaid.
Corresponding 
ranks or grades.
Added by:
L.N. 139 of 1991.
39.   (1) For the purposes of the Act, any rank or grade specified
in any column of the list set out below is declared to correspond
with the rank or grade specified in relation to it in the other column
of that list.
(2) The ranks listed in Column B are Non-Combatant ranks.
Resignation of 
rank.
40.  (1) A warrant officer or a non-commissioned officer may,
with the consent of his commanding officer, voluntarily revert to a
lower rank.
(2)  The commanding officer shall, before consenting to such
reversion, satisfy himself that there is no disciplinary action
pending or outstanding against the man concerned.
(3)  For the purposes of such reversion a certificate shall be
signed by the man and personally countersigned by the
commanding officer that the reversion is voluntary, and such
certificate shall be attached to the man’s documents.
(4) Seniority in the rank to which the man reverts shall count
from the date of his original promotion to that rank.
(5) A man reverting to a lower rank under this regulation shall
remain ineligible for further promotion until such time as the
Officer-in-Charge Records receives an application from the man,
countersigned by his commanding officer, that he wishes to be
reconsidered for promotion under the normal rules.
Reduction in rank. 41. (1) Where a substantive warrant officer or non-
commissioned officer is by reason of unsuitability or inefficiency
Column 
A
Column 
B
Warrant Officer Senior Assistant Controller
Senior Non-Commissioned
Officer 
Assistant Controller.
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE _g S.L.220.03 15
of a nature which does not warrant disciplinary action undeserving
of retention in his substantive rank, his commanding officer, may,
after giving him three months warning in writing to that effect,
apply to the Commander for the reduction in rank of the warrant
officer or non-commissioned officer concerned.
(2)  At the time the warning aforesaid is given the warrant
officer or non-commissioned officer concerned shall, if practicable,
be cross-posted to another company or equivalent sub-unit under
the same commanding officer for the period of the warning and
shall be given adequate opportunity to improve.
(3)  All applications under sub-regulation (1) shall state the
rank to which the reduction is recommended and shall be
accompanied by the following documents: 
(i)  a full statement by the commanding officer
giving the reasons for the recommended
reduction;
(ii)  a copy of the warning notice aforesaid;
(iii)  a copy of the conduct sheet and record of service
of the man concerned;
(iv) any statement the man concerned may wish to
make, 
(v) the recommendations of intermediate
commanders.
Relinquishment of 
acting rank and 
removal from 
appointment.
42. A commanding officer may, on grounds of inefficiency or
unsuitability - 
( a )  order any warrant officer class II, non-commissioned
officer or soldier to relinquish any acting rank which
he may be holding and to revert to his substantive
rank;
( b ) order any warrant officer, non-commissioned officer or
acting non-commissioned officer to be removed from
any appointment which he may be holding and to
assume any other appointment appropriate to his rank
or acting rank;
( c ) order any substantive lance-corporal to be reduced to
the ranks.
Effects of 
reduction in ranks 
on seniority, 
promotion, etc.
43.  (1)  A warrant officer or non-commissioned officer who is
reduced to a lower rank for inefficiency or unsuitability under these
Regulations, shall be placed in the promotion roll in the lower rank
according to the date he was originally promoted to that rank. If he
has never served in the lower rank before reduction, the Officer-in-
Charge Records shall grant the man such seniority in the lower rank
as will place him in the zone for promotion to the next higher
substantive rank at the expiration of the relevant period specified in
sub-regulation (2); and if two or more warrant officers or non-
commissioned officers are reduced simultaneously, the Officer-in-
Charge Records shall grant seniority in the lower rank so as to
maintain their relative seniority.
(2) Warrant officers and non-commissioned officers who are
16 _g S.L.220.03
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE
reduced to a lower rank for inefficiency or unsuitability shall not,
unless they merit promotion for distinguished service, be eligible
for substantive or acting promotion to a higher rank -
( a ) if reduced to a rank not below corporal, before the
expiration of eighteen months;
( b ) if reduced to the rank of lance-corporal before the
expiration of twelve months:
Provided that if the reduction is to the rank of private,
promotion to lance-corporal may be granted under the normal rules
at any time.
(3) At the expiration of the time limits specified in sub-
regulation (2), the man may be promoted to the next higher rank
under the normal rules, or he may be promoted to the next higher
substantive rank, if he is recommended and is qualified, provided
that -
( a ) where such promotion is granted by selection to fill a
vacancy, a vacancy exists in the rank quota for the
higher rank; or
( b ) where such promotion is dependent wholly on time,
the promotion is authorised by the Officer-in-Charge
Records.
(4) A man promoted to the acting or to the substantive rank of
lance-corporal under sub-regulation (2) shall not be further
promoted before the expiration of twelve months of his reduction to
the rank of private.
(5) A warrant officer or non-commissioned officer holding an
appointment which carries a minimum rank who is reduced for
inefficiency or unsuitability to a rank below the minimum for the
appointment shall be deprived of such appointment and, in
accordance with instructions of the Officer-in-Charge Records,
shall either be returned to the roll appropriate to his original trade
or be re-classified in a trade on a roll appropriate to the
circumstances of the case. Any such warrant officer or non-
commissioned officer shall not be re-appointed before the
expiration of eighteen months.
(6) When re-promotion is approved, seniority will reckon from
the date of such substantive promotion and shall in no case confer
any retrospective financial advantage.
(7) Further promotion which may follow any initial promotion
after reduction in a rank may be granted under the normal rules,
subject to the provisions of sub-regulation (3); and where such
further promotion is granted the following rules as to seniority
shall apply -
( a ) in the case of men on vacancy promotion, seniority in
the new rank shall reckon from the latest date of
substantive promotion to that rank;
( b ) in the case of men on time promotion, only service
rendered after the date on which the man was reduced
in rank will count as service reckonable for promotion:
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE _g S.L.220.03 17
Provided that, individual cases may be considered jointly
by the Officer-in-Charge Records and the man’s commanding
officer at the time, and if the circumstances so justify the
commanding officer may recommend to the Commander such re-
grant of seniority as is thought fit, so however that the seniority so
re-granted shall not be greater than that which the man would have
held but for his reduction in rank.
Transfers.
the transfer of a man from one corps to another where such transfer
is consented to or requested by the man concerned:
( a ) If a warrant officer or a non-commissioned officer
consents to or requests a transfer, the Officer-in-
Charge Records will inform him as soon as practicable
whether he may retain his substantive rank on transfer
and will notify him what substantive rank and
seniority in his new corps can be granted if his transfer
is approved. If a vacancy in his rank does not exist or
if his qualifications and experience do not qualify him
for transfer in his substantive rank and he is unwilling
to accept the rank and seniority offered he shall be
entitled to withdraw his request or consent. In such
circumstances as would entitle a man to withdraw his
request or consent, a transfer shall not be authorised
unless -
(i) the man concerned is willing to revert
voluntarily to a substantive rank in which he can
be accepted; or
(ii) the transfer arises out of a recommendation for
re-employment and the man is to be reduced in
rank under the provisions of the Act or of any
regulations made thereunder.
( b ) A man who consents to a transfer to another corps
shall not be permitted at any future time to be re-
transferred to his former corps unless such re-transfer
is in the interest of the service.
( c ) A transfer will take effect from the date on which a
man is taken on the strength of his new corps and such
man shall be struck off the strength of his previous
corps with effect from the preceding day.
( d ) Unless otherwise ordered by the competent military
authority, a man shall be retained on the strength of his
corps during the period of probation which he may be
required to spend with the corps to which he has
requested or consented to be transferred, and the
transfer shall unless otherwise ordered as aforesaid, be
authorised with effect from the date following the
completion of such probation or the date on which the
vacancy occurs in the corps to which the man is being
transferred, whichever is the later date:
Provided that where such period of probation as
aforesaid includes a military course, the man may be
18 _g S.L.220.03
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE
struck off the posted strength of his corps with effect
from the first day of attachment to the other corps.
Discharge.
Amended by:
L.N. 14 of 1984.
45.  (1) In addition to any other case provided for by the Act or
of any regulations, rules or orders made thereunder, colour service
may be terminated in the cases and manner hereafter provided:
( a ) a recruit who has been attested but has not been finally
approved may be rejected and discharged by his
commanding officer on any of the following grounds -
(i) that he is unlikely to become an efficient soldier;
or
(ii) that he is a misfit or an undesirable influence; or
(iii) that he is likely to bring discredit on the service,
or
(iv) for any other reason in the interest of the
service;
( b ) a junior leader who has not been finally approved for
engagement in man’s service, may be rejected and
discharged by the Commander on grounds of
inefficiency, misconduct or failure to maintain the
standards of training set at any time up to final
approval as aforesaid;
( c ) a man of the force who during his service is convicted
by a civil court of an offence committed before his
enlistment, or is convicted of an offence against article
18 or 66 of the Act, may have his colour service
terminated by the Commander;
( d ) a man of the force whose retention in the service is
considered undesirable on account of -
(i) inefficiency; or
(ii) persistent petty breaches of discipline
insufficient to warrant discharge for misconduct
under paragraph ( e ); or
(iii) persistent indebtedness which has led to
inefficiency or to indiscipline or to any action by
the man that has repeatedly brought the service
into disrepute,
and in respect of whom the provisions of sub-
regulation (2) have been observed, may have his
colour service terminated by the Commander;
( e ) a man of the force who during his service has been
sentenced -
(i)  by a civil court or a court-martial to
imprisonment; or
(ii)  by a civil court to detention; or
(iii) by a court-martial to a period of detention which
on confirmation is for twelve months or more,
shall be discharged unless in the opinion of the
Commander his retention is desirable in the interests
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE _g S.L.220.03 19
of the service;
( f ) a man of the force who has been convicted by a civil
court or by court-martial of an offence involving -
(i) serious dishonesty or violence; or
(ii) disgraceful conduct of a cruel, indecent or
unnatural kind; or
(iii) contravention of any enactment relating to
dangerous drugs,
but has been awarded a lesser sentence than would
warrant discharge under paragraph ( e ), may be
discharged by the Commander if, on the commanding
officer’s recommendation to that effect, he considers
the man’s discharge to be in the interests of the
service:
For the purposes of this paragraph a person who has
been placed on probation or has been discharged
absolutely or conditionally by a civil court shall not be
deemed to have been convicted;
( g ) a deserter who in manner provided by article 87 of the
Act has signed a written confession that he has been
guilty of desertion may be discharged by the
Commander, whether or not he has been sentenced by
court-martial for that offence;
( h ) a man of the force may be discharged by the
commanding officer if he has become medically unfit
for further service and is likely to remain so
permanently, and is so certified in manner satisfactory
to the commanding officer;
( i ) the Commander may permit the termination of service
by a man of the force free of charge at his request on
compassionate grounds;
( j ) a man of the force with more than three months’
service may, at his request, be allowed to terminate his
service by the Commander against payment of such
sum as the Minister may from time to time determine;
( k ) a man of the force may be discharged by the
Commander in any case in which the Commander is
satisfied that, in the interest of the service, a man’s
service is no longer required or should he terminated;
( 1 ) a man of the force shall be discharged on appointment
to a commission in the force;
( m ) the Commander may permit a man of the force to
terminate his engagement in order to re-enlist on
another engagement.
(2) The provisions referred to in sub-regulation (1)( d ) are:
( a ) a man whose discharge is under consideration shall be
informed by his commanding officer of his
shortcomings and shall be warned by him in writing -
20 _g S.L.220.03
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE
(i) that if his efficiency or conduct does not
improve within three months, his discharge
would be applied for, and
(ii) that if he persists in committing petty breaches
of discipline, his immediate discharge will be
applied for;
and the man concerned shall be asked to sign the
written warning in acknowledgement;
( b ) a copy of the warning or of the signed warning, as the
case may be, shall be sent to the Officer-in-Charge
Records who shall retain it for the period of its
validity, and shall then either retain it as proof that the
man was properly warned if the man is discharged
under the sub-paragraph aforesaid or destroy it if the
warning period lapses and the man is retained in the
service;
( c ) after the written warning has been given, the man
shall, if practicable, be cross-posted to another
company or equivalent sub-unit under the same
commanding officer for the period of the warning and
shall be given adequate opportunity to improve;
( d ) if breaches of discipline continue after the written
warning has been given, the commanding officer may
apply to the Commander for the man’s discharge,
notwithstanding that the warning period may not have
expired, and in such case the Commander may
authorise the immediate discharge of the man if he
considers such action essential for disciplinary
reasons; 
( e ) if by the end of the warning period the man concerned
has not shown satisfactory improvement the
commanding officer shall apply for his discharge
unless he considers that further time should be
granted, in which case he shall re-impose the warning
for a further period of three months, but shall not give
any further extensions of time;
( f ) if a man’s discharge is not applied for within one week
of the expiration of the warning period, the warning
shall lapse and the commanding officer shall notify the
Officer-in-Charge records to that effect.
(3) An officer cadet who fails to reach the required standard at
the military academy or other similar institution to which he has
been entered under regulation 3 may terminate his engagement
without completing his three years service as a soldier.
Pay, allowances and pensions
Pay and 
allowances.
46. The scales of pay and allowances for men of the force shall
be such as the Minister may from time to time determine and
announce.
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE _g S.L.220.03 21
Pensions and 
gratuities.
Amended by:
L.N. 10 of 1984;
L.N. 47 of 1990.
Cap. 93.
47.  Men of the force shall, in respect of service in the force, be
eligible to such pension or gratuity as may be granted under the
Pensions Ordinance to an officer holding a pensionable office in
Malta within the meaning of that Ordinance; and the said
Ordinance shall for such purpose apply to men of the force, their
widows and legal representatives, as they apply to an officer
holding a pensionable office as aforesaid, his widow and legal
representative, subject to such adaptations and modifications as
may be required and in particular subject to the modifications
required by the difference in the length of normal service, and in
the application of article 7, article 11(3) and article 18 of the said
Ordinance and regulations 2, 9, 10 and 14 of the Pensions
Regulations to men in the force, those articles and regulations shall
apply as they apply to members of the Police Force:
Provided that, subject to regulation 26(2), a man of the
force having special reckonable service shall qualify for a pension
independently of the length of his reckonable service provided he
completes or has opted to complete a twenty-two year engagement:
Provided further that in respect of men of the force having a
special reckonable service by reason of full-time service, between
1st April 1965 and 1st October, 1970, with the territorial force,
such special reckonable service shall be deemed to be pensionable
service.
Pension to men of 
the force enlisted 
after the 15th 
January. 1979.
Added by:
L.N. 47 of 1990.
48.  Men of the force, enlisted on or after the 15th January,
1979, shall be eligible for a pension as may be granted in
accordance with the Articles and Rules contained in the Third
Schedule.
PART III
Officers and Men
Leave
Annual leave.
and end on the 31st March of the following year.
(2) Subject to the exigencies of the service, the entitlement to
annual leave shall be as follows:
( a ) Officers - 42 days in respect of a full year’s service
( b ) Sergeants and above - 42 days in respect of a full
year’s service
(c) Corporals and below - 30 days in respect of a full
year’s service.
(3) When it is necessary to postpone, or stop leave or recall
individuals already on leave, the reasons shall be explained to the
person concerned.
(4) Individuals entering or leaving the service during the leave
year shall be eligible for leave on a proportionate basis; and where
the rank of an individual is changed during a leave year, leave
entitlement shall be assessed in proportion to the period of service
in each rank.
22 _g S.L.220.03
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE
(5) For the purposes of this regulation:
( a ) references to a rank include references to substantive,
acting and local rank,
( b ) periods in detention or forfeited periods of service
shall not count as service for the purpose of reckoning
a man’s eligibility for annual leave.
Embarkation and 
disembarkation 
leave.
50. (1) Personnel posted overseas shall be granted
embarkation leave as follows - 
( a ) 7 days if posted to any place in Europe; 
( b ) 14 days if posted elsewhere.
(2) On reversion to Malta from any overseas station, personnel
shall be eligible for disembarkation leave, to be taken on arrival in
Malta, at the following scales:
( a ) in respect of service overseas for more than three but
less than six months - 7 days;
( b ) in respect of the first completed six months overseas -
14 days;
( c ) in respect of every completed month overseas in
excess of six months - 1 additional day.
Compassionate 
leave.
51. (1) Compassionate leave may be granted in any of the
following cases:
( a ) death, imminent death or dangerous illness of spouse,
child, parent or other recorded next of kin;
( b ) for urgent reasons of an exceptional or personal nature,
when the presence of the individual concerned is
essential to lessen domestic hardship.
(2) Except in extreme urgency, the compassionate
circumstances shall be verified before leave is granted. In cases of
extreme urgency leave may be granted immediately and the
circumstances investigated as soon as possible afterwards.
(3) Authority to grant compassionate leave shall be as follows:
( a ) for periods not exceeding 28 days - Commanding
Officer;
( b ) for any extension beyond 28 days - Commander.
(4) Compassionate leave shall not count against eligibility for
annual leave.
(5) In respect of personnel serving overseas, the Commander
may authorise compassionate leave with travel at public expense if
the situation so warrants.
Medical leave. 52. (1) Special medical leave may be authorized, provided it
is recommended by the medical officer, as follows:
( a ) for periods not exceeding 28 days - Commanding
Officer;
( b ) for any extension beyond 28 days up to a total of six
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE _g S.L.220.03 23
months - Commander
( c ) for any extension beyond six months - Minister.
(2) Personnel who are unable to report for duty due to illness
shall contact their unit as soon as practicable.
Terminal leave.
ending on the last day of service shall be granted to -
( a ) officers who are compulsorily retired or who retire on
reaching the age of compulsory retirement;
( b ) men who are compulsorily discharged for reason other
than disciplinary reasons or have completed their
current engagement and do not re-engage.
Documentation.
or leave.
(2) The following types of leave shall be published in the
relevant orders -
( a ) medical leave when pay is affected;
( b ) terminal leave.
Medical facilities 
for officers and 
men.
55. (1) Officers and men shall be entitled to free medical
treatment by a medical officer appointed for that purpose, in a
medical centre equipped for that purpose.
(2) Officers and men shall be entitled to hospitalisation without
any charge to them.
(3) Officers and men who are unable to report for duty due to
illness or injury shall be visited by the medical officer during
working hours. Special arrangements shall be made for treatment of
urgent cases outside working hours.
Medical facilities 
for families.
56. (1) Families of officers and men shall be entitled to free
medical treatment by the medical officer provided they report for
such treatment to the medical centre during working hours.
(2) Special arrangements shall be made for those cases of
families who require urgent medical treatment at their residence.
Dental facilities.
without any charge to them.
Applicability of 
regulations 55, 56 
and 57. 
Added by:
L.N. 37 of 1973.
58. Notwithstanding the provisions of regulations 55, 56 and
57, officers and men who join the force after the 19th April, 1973,
shall be entitled to such medical and dental facilities as the
Minister may from time to time determine.
Establishment and 
Statute of the 
Armed Forces of 
Malta Staff 
Association.
Added by:
L.N. 130 of 1998.
59. There shall be established a Staff Association for the
Armed Forces of Malta, to be known as the Armed Forces of Malta
Staff Association, which shall be governed by the rules and
procedures in the Statute set out in the Fourth Schedule.
24 _g S.L.220.03
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE
Substituted by: FIRST SCHEDULE
L.N. 42 of 1980.
(Regulation 3)
OATH OF ALLEGIANCE TO BE TAKEN BY OFFICER ON COMMISSIONING
I, ...................................... solemnly swear/affirm that I will bear true faith and
allegiance to the people and the Republic of Malta and its Constitution, and that I
will, as in duty bound, honestly and faithfully defend the Republic of Malta against
all enemies, and will observe and obey all orders of the President of Malta, and of
the authorities and officers set over me.
(So help me God)
..................................................... .....................................................
signature date
The said ..................................................................... has taken the oath before
me at ................................................ on this ....................... day of ........................
..............
.....................................................
(signature and authority of
person administering oath)
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE _g S.L.220.03 25
SECOND SCHEDULE Amended by:
L.N. 42 of 1980;
L.N. 54 of 1981;
L.N. 36 of 1982;
L.N. 64 of 1982;
L.N. 45 of 1983;
L.N. 14 of 1984.
(Regulation 22)
PART I
Notice to be given under article 6(1) of the Malta Armed Forces Act, to a person 
offering to enlist in the Regular Force
This paper sets out the general conditions of the various enlistments and the
questions you will be required to answer before the officer who will attest you for
the Regular Force.
General conditions of enlistments
1. You must serve for the whole of the term for which you enlist, unless you
are enlisted on an engagement where, as explained below, you will have the right to
leave the service or to transfer to the reserve before its end. If you have not
previously served in the regular force you have a right to purchase your discharge
during the early months of your service (See 11 below). The military authorities
have the right to discharge you at any time if your services are no longer required.
2. If you have already enlisted under regulation 26(1)( c ) you will retain your
right to terminate your service from the force on any day on which you would have
been entitled to retire had you remained in the Malta Police Force and all the
provisions of the Pensions Ordinance which would have been applicable to you had
you remained in the Malta Police Force shall be applicable to you on your
termination of service from the force; and for the purposes of the said Ordinance
service in the force shall count as service in the Malta Police Force.
3. Service with the colours means full time regular army service and during
that service you may be called on to serve in any part of the world. During reserve
service you will return to civilian life but will be liable to be called on in any
emergency.
Types of enlistments
4. For men over the age of 18 enlisting after 1st October, 1970, on an initial
engagement of three years.
a. You will be enlisted on an initial engagement of 3 years.
b.  At the end of 3 years you may be allowed to re-engage for a further 9
years subject to the quota for re-engagements existing at the time. You
may opt to terminate your service without payment at each 3 year point.
c. At the end of 12 years you may be allowed to re-engage for a further 10
years subject to the quota for re-engagements existing at the time. You
may opt to terminate your service without payment at the 15 year point
and at any time after 16 years service.
d. At the end of 22 years service you may be allowed to continue for one
year at a time up to the age of 55 years or until such subsequent age as
the Minister may from time to time determine.
e.  Your reserve liability will be as follows:
26 _g S.L.220.03
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE
5. For men under the age of 18 but over the age of 17 enlisting after 1st
October, 1970, on an initial engagement of three years.
a. Your term is up to your 18th birthday and then as in para. 3.
b.  The same conditions as specified in para. 3 apply save that periods at
which you are entitled to break your service with the colours etc., will
be reckoned from your 18th birthday and not from the date you are
attested.
6.  For Junior Leaders i.e. males between 14 - 16½ years.
a.  Your term is up to your 18th birthday and then for 12 years with the
colours.
b. You may opt to terminate your regular service without payment at the 6
and 9 year point.
c. Your reserve liability will be the balance of 12 years service
uncompleted.
d. At the end of 12 years service from the age of 18 the conditions of paras
3c and 3d will apply.
e. Periods at which you are entitled to break your service with the colours
etc., will be reckoned from your 18th birthday and not from the day you
are attested.
7. For men enlisting on a five year engagement -
a. You will be enlisted on a five year engagement but if you are over 55
years on date of enlistment you will serve up to the age of 60 years.
b. You will have no reserve liability after you have been discharged.
8. For men enlisting on a three year engagement  -
You will be enlisted on a three year engagement, but, if you are recalled
to the public service, the engagement will be deemed to be completed
on the day on which you are so recalled.
9. For men enlisting on a fourteen month engagement -
You will be enlisted on a fourteen month engagement.
10. For male soldiers enlisting after the 1st June, 1982 on a fourteen month
engagement -
You will be enlisted on a fourteen month engagement and you will have
reserve liability for a period of ten years from the date of termination of
Reckonable Service Reserve Liability
(1)  After initial 3 year engagement NIL
(2) If discharged after 3 years
service but before completing
12 years service
The balance of 9 years
uncompleted.
(3)  If discharged after 12 years
service but before completing
22 years service
The balance of 22 years
uncompleted.
(4)  On attaining the age of 55
years NIL
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE _g S.L.220.03 27
your engagement.
11. For men enlisting on an eighteen month engagement -
You will be enlisted on an eighteen month engagement and you have a
reserve liability for a period of twenty years from the date of
termination of your engagement.
12. For men enlisted on a twelve month engagement -
You will be enlisted on a twelve month engagement and you will have a
reserve liability for a period of twenty years from the date of
termination of your engagement.
General
13.  You may be enlisted into a corps of your choice if there is a vacancy in that
corps and you are duly qualified. While in the corps to which you are appointed you
may be posted from one unit or branch to another.
14.  If at any time during the first 6 months of your service you are found
unsuitable for the corps for which you are appointed but suitable for service in
another corps you will be given the option either of transferring voluntarily to
another corps for which you are suitable and in which there is a vacancy, or of being
discharged, unless the interests of the Force render necessary your compulsory
transfer to another corps. You can only be compulsorily transferred from one corps
to another by order of the Minister responsible for defence except in war time or in
an emergency.
15.  When you have been attested you will be subject to military law, and you
will be required to carry out whatever duties may be ordered by those in authority
over you.
16.  No guarantee can be given that you will be employed on any particular
duties but if you are enlisted with a view to being trained and employed in a
particular trade, you will normally be trained and employed in that trade providing
the requirements of the service so permit. Employment in a trade depends upon
passing a specified trade test and there being a vacancy in that trade.
17.  a. If this is your first enlistment in the Regular Force you will be entitled
to claim your discharge on payment of a sum not exceeding twenty liri;
provided that the claim is made after the expiration of two months and
before the expiration of three months from attestation.
b. If you make a claim for discharge during the appropriate period you will
then be discharged with all convenient speed unless, when you make
your claim, an order has been made ordering that soldiers who would
otherwise be transferred to the reserve shall continue to serve with the
colours. In such a case your discharge will be deferred for as long as the
order remains in force.
18.  You will be liable to forfeit service if you are found guilty of, or confess to,
deserting the service. Such forfeited service will not count towards the period of
service for which you are enlisted and consequently the date of your discharge, and
will alter the dates of the ends of the periods on which you have a right to be
transferred to the reserve or to terminate your service, and the dates on which notice
should be given.
19. You may be discharged if you make a false answer to any of the questions at
the end of this Paper or because of any other irregularities concerned with your
28 _g S.L.220.03
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE
enlistment.
20.  Examples of other grounds on which you may be discharged before the
termination of your engagement by order of the competent military authority are
misconduct, unfitness on medical grounds or the benefit of the public service.
21.  If when a soldier would otherwise be entitled to be discharged or to be
transferred to the reserve, he is liable to be proceeded against by court-martial, or is
serving a sentence of imprisonment or detention abroad, his discharge or transfer to
the reserve will be postponed. What is said above about entitlement to be discharged
or to be transferred to the reserve must be read as subject to this.
22.  a .  If, when you would otherwise become entitled to be discharged, you are
serving with the Force:
(1) outside Malta, or
(2) while a state of war exists, or
(3) while soldiers in the reserve are called out for permanent service,
you may be retained with the colours for a further period not exceeding twelve
months.
b. If, when you would otherwise become entitled to be transferred to the
reserve, you are serving with the Force -
(1) outside Malta, or
(2) while a state of war exists, or
(3) while soldiers in the reserve are called out for permanent service,
or 
(4) while there is in force an order ordering that soldiers who would
otherwise be transferred to the reserve shall continue to serve
with the colours,
you may be retained with the colours for a further period; this period may continue
until 12 months after you would otherwise become entitled to be discharged.
23. If you are transferred to the reserve you may be liable to be called out as
follows:
a . in any year, for training in Malta or elsewhere for one period not
exceeding fifteen days and for such other periods not exceeding thirty-
six hours, as may be prescribed.
b . for permanent service if national danger is imminent or a great
emergency has arisen.
24. If during your service with the reserve, you are called out for permanent
service, you may be retained with the colours for the rest of your term in the reserve
and for a further twelve months.
QUESTIONS TO BE PUT TO THE RECRUIT BEFORE ENLISTMENT
Under the provisions of articles 18 and 66 of the Malta Armed Forces Act if any
person knowingly makes a false answer to any question contained in the attestation
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE _g S.L.220.03 29
paper he is liable to punishment
Q. 1 What is your full
name'
( a ) Christian or Fore
Name(s)
( b ) Surname
Q. 2. What is your address' Q. 3. What is the date of your birth'
Q. 4. Where were you born' (give 
town, country)
Q. 5. What is your nationality now'
Q.  6.  What was the
nationality at birth of:
( a )  yourself' ( c )  your mother' ( e )  your wife'
( b )  your father' ( d )  your paternal grand-
father and 
Q. 7.  Are you single,
married, widowed'
Q. 8.  How many children
are dependent on
you'
Q. 9.  What is your
trade or
calling'
Q. 10. Do you belong to, or have you ever served in any armed force of Malta or of
a Commonwealth Country' If so, state which, and the periods of service and
the reasons for and dates of discharge.
Q.  11.  Have you ever been charged before any civil court with an offence of which
you have not been acquitted (even though you may only have been
absolutely or conditionally discharged, or placed on probation)' If so, give
full particulars of each charge.
Q.  12.  Have you ever been rejected for service in any armed force of Malta or of a
Commonwealth Country' If so, on what grounds'
Q.  13. ( a )  Are you, or have you ever been an apprentice' ......................................
( b ) If so, when will, or did, the period of your apprenticeship expire' .........
30 _g S.L.220.03
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE
Q.  14.  ( a ) Into what corps do you wish to enlist' ..................................................
( b ) If you have been informed that there is no vacancy in that corps, into
what other corps in which there is a vacancy do you wish to enlist' .......
Q. 15. Have you received a notice paper setting out the questions to be answered on
attestation and the general conditions of the enlistment to be entered into
including reserve liability' ..........................................................................
Do you understand the contents of the notice paper and wish to be enlisted'
Q.  16.  Are you willing to serve:
( a ) *If under the age of 18 years, the period from the date of attestation up
to the date on which you attain the age of 18 years, and thereafter for a
term of ................... years with the colours and ............... years with the
reserve.
( b ) If over the age of 18 years either:
(1) *A term of ............... years with the colours with the option to be
discharged from colour service at the end of ........................ years
reckonable service, or
(2) *A term of ....... years with the colours less reckonable service
within the meaning of the Appointments and Conditions of Service
of the Regular Force of the Armed Forces of Malta Regulations
with the option to be discharged from colour service at the end of
............ years inclusive of service reckonable as aforesaid.
( c ) A term of five years with the colours or, if you are over 55 years on date
of enlistment, up to the age of 60 years.
( d ) A term of three years, or, if you are recalled to the public service, up to
the date on which you are so recalled.
( e ) A term of fourteen months with the colours to count from the date of
attestation.
( f ) A term of eighteen months with the colours to count from the date of
attestation.
( g ) A term of twelve months with the colours to count from the date of
attestation.
(*Delete whichever is inapplicable - Answer "Yes" to relevant question)
I, ................................................. do solemnly declare that the above answers made
by me to the above questions are true, and that I am willing to fulfil the engagement
made.
.........................................
(Date)
.........................................
(Signature of Recruit) 
...................................
(Signature of witness)
Note: On signing the above declaration and taking the Oath the recruit becomes a
soldier of the Regular Force and subject to military law.
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE _g S.L.220.03 31
PART II
Attestation Paper
Army No...................  Nature of Engagement (Note 1) ....................
Corps ........... .................... years with the Colours .......... years with the Reserve
General Instructions for completing the Attestation Paper
1. The Recruit will first be given a copy of the Notice Paper.
2. Any alterations in this Attestation Form will be initialled in ink by the
Recruiting Officer. A ball-point type of pen will NOT be used.
3. The Recruiting Officer will delete all paragraphs referring to types of
engagement which are not appropriate.
QUESTIONS TO BE PUT TO THE RECRUIT BEFORE ENLISTMENT
Under the provisions of articles 18 and 66 of the Malta Armed Forces Act, if a
person knowingly makes a false answer to any of the questions contained in the
Attestation Paper he renders himself liable to punishment. 
Q. 1 What is your full
name'
( a ) Christian or Fore
Name(s)
( b ) Surname
Q. 2. What is your address' Q. 3. What is the date of your birth'
Q. 4. Where were you born' (give 
town, country)
Q. 5. What is your nationality now'
Q.  6.  What was the
nationality at birth of:
( a )  yourself' ( c )  your mother' ( e )  your wife'
( b )  your father' ( d )  your paternal grand-
father and 
Q. 7.  Are you single,
married, widowed'
Q. 8.  How many children
are dependent on
you'
Q. 9.  What is your
trade or
calling'
Q. 10. Do you belong to, or have you ever served in any armed force of Malta or of
a Commonwealth Country' If so, state which, and the periods of service and
the reasons for and dates of discharge. (Note 2).
32 _g S.L.220.03
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE
Q.  11.  Have you ever been charged before any civil court with an offence of which
you have not been acquitted (even though you may only have been
absolutely or conditionally discharged, or placed on probation)' If so, give
full particulars of each charge.
Q.  12.  Have you ever been rejected for service in any armed force of Malta or of a
Commonwealth Country' If so, on what grounds'
Q.  13. ( a )  Are you, or have you ever been an apprentice' ......................................
( b ) If so, when will, or did, the period of your apprenticeship expire' .........
Q.  14.  ( a )  Into what corps do you wish to enlist' ..................................................
( b )  If you have been informed that there is no vacancy in that corps, into
what other corps in which there is a vacancy do you wish to enlist' .......
Q. 15. Have you received a notice paper setting out the questions to be answered on
attestation and the general conditions of the enlistment to be entered into
including reserve liability' ..........................................................................
Do you understand the contents of the notice paper and wish to be enlisted'
Q.  16.  Are you willing to serve:
( a ) *If under the age of 18 years, the period from the date of attestation up
to the date on which you attain the age of 18 years, and thereafter for a
term of ................... years with the colours and ............... years with the
reserve.
( b ) If over the age of 18 years either:
(1) *A term of ............... years with the colours with the option to be
discharged from colour service at the end of ........................ years
reckonable service, or
(2) *A term of ....... years with the colours less reckonable service
within the meaning of the Appointments and Conditions of Service
of the Regular Force of the Armed Forces of Malta Regulations
with the option to be discharged from colour service at the end of
............. years inclusive of service reckonable as aforesaid.
( c ) A term of five years with the colours or, if you are over 55 years on date
of enlistment, up to the age of 60 years.
( d ) A term of three years, or, if you are recalled to the public service, up to
the date on which you are so recalled.
( e ) A term of fourteen months with the colours to count from the date of
attestation.
( f ) A term of eighteen months with the colours to count from the date of
attestation.
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE _g S.L.220.03 33
( g ) A term of twelve months with the colours to count from the date of
attestation.
(*Delete whichever is inapplicable - Answer "Yes" to relevant question)
SOLEMN DECLARATION
I, ................................................. do solemnly declare that the above answers made
by me to the above questions are true, and that I am willing to fulfil the engagement
made.
.........................................
(Date)
.........................................
(Signature of Recruit) 
...................................
(Signature of witness)
OATH TO BE TAKEN BY RECRUIT ON ATTESTATION
I, .................................. affirm that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the
people and the Republic of Malta and its Constitution, and that I will, as in duty
bound, honestly and faithfully defend the Republic of Malta against all enemies,
and will observe and obey all orders of the President of Malta, and of the officers
set over me.
(So help me God)
.............................................. ...........................................
signature  date 
The said ................................. has taken the oath before me at ..............., on this
.................... day of .......................... ............ .
..............................................
(signature and authority of
person administering oath)
34 _g S.L.220.03
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE
CERTIFICATE OF RECRUITING OFFICER
The Recruit named above was cautioned by me that if he knowingly made any
false answer to any of the questions above he would be liable to be punished as
provided in the Malta Armed Forces Act.
The questions above were then read to the Recruit in my presence.
I have taken care that he understands each question, and that his answer to each
question has been duly entered.
I have taken care to see that the Recruit has received a copy of the Notice Paper
and I am satisfied that he is fully aware of the terms and general conditions of
service on which he has entered.
I am satisfied from the evidence produced or the statements made by the Recruit
that he has attained the minimum age for man’s service.
The said Recruit has made and signed the Declaration and taken the Oath before
me at ............... on this ....................... day of .................... ............
Rank ................................................  Appointment
..............................................
Signature of Recruiting Officer ............................................................................
In the case of boys educated at an approved school the Recruiting Officer will
insert name and address of the school: 
.............................................................
.............................................................
Religious denomination .................. .....................
CERTIFICATE OF MEDICAL EXAMINATION
I /We have examined this Recruit in accordance  P U L H E E M S
with current instructions and have assessed him as
follows: 
Date ...............................
Signature(s) of Medical Officer(s) .......................................
.......................................
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE _g S.L.220.03 35
CERTIFICATE OF APPROVING OFFICER
I CERTIFY that this attestation paper of the above-named recruit is properly
completed and that the required forms relative to his enlistment appear to have been
complied with. I accordingly approve, and appoint him to -
* ......................................................
Date .............................. Signature of Approving Officer ..................................... 
Place ................................
* Here insert the “Corps” for which the recruit has been enlisted
NOTES FOR RECRUITING OFFICERS
1.Insert type of engagement e.g. Regular.
2.If the recruit has former service he is to be asked particulars of this former
service, and will produce, if possible, all certificates issued on discharge. All
certificates will be returned to the recruit and in cases of former service with any
armed force of Malta certificates will be conspicuously endorsed in red ink as
follows:
(Name) re-enlisted in the (Corps) on the (Date).
36 _g S.L.220.03
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE
Added by:
L.N. 47 of 1990.
THIRD SCHEDULE
(Regulations 20 and 48)
Part I
Pension Articles
Title. 1.  The title of these Articles is Armed Forces of Malta
Pension Articles.
Application.  2.  These Articles and the Armed Forces of Malta Pension
Rules, 1990, hereinafter referred to as "the Rules", and which shall
be read as an integral part of these Articles, shall apply to officers
and men retiring on or after the 1st January, 1990.
Circumstances in 
which pension may 
be granted.
3. No pension shall be granted under these Articles and the
Rules, to any officer or man of the force except on his retirement
from the force in any one of the following cases:
( a ) on or after attaining the age of fifty-five years or if he
has completed twenty-five years’ service in the force;
( b ) on the abolition of his office;
S.L. 220.03
( c ) on compulsory retirement in accordance with
regulation 14(1) of the Appointments and Conditions
of Service of the Regular Force Regulations,
hereinafter in these Articles and in the Rules called
"the Regulations";
( d ) on termination of service in accordance with
regulation 14(3) or regulation 45(1)( h ) of the
Regulations.
Maximum pension 
grantable.
4.  (1) A pension granted to an officer or man of the force
under these Articles shall not exceed two-thirds of the highest
pensionable emoluments drawn by him at any time in the course of
his service in the force.
(2) For the purpose of the preceding sub-article an additional
pension granted in respect of injury shall not be taken into account;
but where an officer or man is granted such an additional pension,
the amount of such additional pension which he may draw shall not
exceed one-sixth of his highest pensionable emoluments at any
time in the course of his service in the force by more than the sum
by which his pension or pensions, apart from such additional
pension, falls short of two-thirds of such highest emoluments.
(3) For the purpose of these Articles and the Rules -
"month" means a calendar month;
"pensionable emoluments" include -
(i) salary,
(ii) personal allowance,
(iii) one working trade allowance
but does not include duty allowance, entertainment allowance,
house allowance, the estimated annual rental value of free quarters,
value of rations, extra remuneration, any fees paid out of the
Treasury by way of salary or other emoluments whatsoever;
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE _g S.L.220.03 37
"personal allowance" means a special addition granted
personally to the holder for the time being of the office, but does
not include such an addition if it is granted subject to the condition
that it shall not be pensionable;
"officer" and "man" mean an officer commissioned or a man
enlisted in the force on or after 15 January, 1979;
"year" means a calendar year.
Pensions not to be 
assignable.
Cap. 12
5. No pension under these Articles shall be assignable,
transferable or liable to be attached, sequestrated or levied upon,
for or in respect of any debt or claim whatsoever, except in so far as
is provided in article 381(3) of the Code of Organization and Civil
Procedure.
Pension to be 
reduced in certain 
circumstances.
6.  (1) An officer or man of the force, who retires on grounds
listed in article 3( d ) to whom a pension has been granted under
these Articles and who is in receipt of -
( a ) any remuneration in respect of any employment, or of
any services rendered, or of any office held; or
( b ) any income deriving from the exercise of a trade,
business, profession or vocation; or
( c ) any income deriving from any pension, allowance or
other payment in respect of any employment, service
or office aforesaid,
shall, until he reaches the age of fifty-five years or until the twenty-
fifth anniversary of his first appointment in the force, whichever is
the earlier, have his pension reduced by the amount by which the
aggregate income established in accordance with the following
provisions of this article exceeds the salary which is then payable
in respect of the post which the officer or man held on retirement,
taking account only, if such salary is incremental, of the
corresponding increments earned prior to retirement, or, if such
post has been abolished, an analogous post:
Provided that the yearly pension shall in no case be
reduced to less than the sum of fifty liri, and if the yearly pension
or other allowance does not exceed the minimum payable as
aforesaid no reduction shall be made therefrom.
(2) For the purpose of sub-article (1), the aggregate income
shall be established by adding -
( a ) the pension which, but for the provisions of this
article, would have been receivable under these
Articles; and
( b ) any remuneration or income referred to in sub-article
(1)( a ), ( b ), or ( c ), or both such remuneration and
income; and
by subtracting therefrom the yearly sum of fifty liri.
(3) Any reduction in the pension under sub-article (1) shall be
calculated on the basis of the pension, the remuneration or other
income, and the salary, receivable during a period of twelve months
ending on 31st December of the year in which the reduction is due
38 _g S.L.220.03
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE
to be made, but, subject to any adjustments that may be or become
necessary for any reason whatsoever, and in so far as practicable,
shall be made from the monthly or other periodical payments of the
pension.
(4) Any officer or man to whom sub-article (1) applies shall
without delay inform the Accountant General, and keep him at all
times informed, of all the circumstances which render the said sub-
article (1) applicable to him and the extent to which it is so
applicable, and of any change in the circumstances or extent
aforesaid, and shall give the Accountant General on request, all
relevant information; and if such officer or man fails to comply
with any of the provisions of this sub-article any pension to which
he may be entitled under these Articles shall forthwith cease: 
Provided that on good cause being shown the pension or
other allowance may be restored, with or without retrospective
effect, by the Minister.
Part II
General Rules
Title. 1. The title of these Rules is the Armed Forces of Malta
Pension Rules.
Pensions to whom 
and at what rates to 
be granted.
2. Subject to the provisions of the Regulations, the Armed
Forces of Malta Pension Articles, hereinafter in these rules called
"the Articles", and of these Rules, every officer and man who has
been in the force for ten years or upwards, may be granted a
pension at the rate of one four hundred and fiftieth of his
pensionable emoluments for each complete month of pensionable
service, subject to the limit described in article 4 of the Articles.
Service to be 
unbroken.
3. The service in respect of which a pension may be granted
must be unbroken, except in cases where the service has been
interrupted by abolition of office or normal termination of
engagement, and not arising from termination of service in
accordance with regulation 13, regulation 14(1) and (2) and
regulation 45 of the Regulations, that is on grounds of misconduct
or voluntary resignation:
Provided that any service prior to a break of service may be
allowed to count for pension together with any service subsequent
to such break -
( a ) if the whole intervening period has been spent in some
other employment in the service of the Republic; or
( b ) in the case where an officer or man on the regular
reserve is called out for permanent service; or
( c ) in the case where such officer or man, having
terminated his service from the force, is subsequently
recalled in the force with the approval of the Prime
Minister on account of the exigencies of the force, and
such recall is certified by the Prime Minister.
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE _g S.L.220.03 39
Emoluments to be 
taken for 
computing 
pensions.
4. (1) For the purpose of computing the amount of the
pension of an officer or man who has had a period of not less than
three years’ pensionable service under the Articles before his
retirement -
( a ) in the case of an officer or man who has held the same
office for a period of three years immediately
preceding the date of his retirement, the full annual
pensionable emoluments enjoyed by him at that date in
respect of that office shall be taken;
( b ) in the case of an officer or man who at any time during
such period of three years has been posted from one
office to another, but whose pensionable emoluments
have not been changed by reason of such posting or
postings otherwise than by the grant of any scale
increments, the full annual pensionable emoluments
enjoyed by him at the date of his retirement in respect
of the office then held by him shall be taken;
( c ) in other cases one third of the aggregate pensionable
emoluments enjoyed by the officer or man in respect
of his service during the three years of his service
immediately preceding the date of his retirement shall
be taken:
Provided that -
(i) if such one third is less than the highest annual
pensionable emoluments enjoyed by him at the
date of any posting within such period of three
years those annual pensionable emoluments
shall be taken; and
(ii) if such one third is less than the annual
pensionable emoluments which would have been
enjoyed by him at the date of his retirement, if
he had continued to hold any office from which
he has been posted at any time during such
period of three years, and had received all scale
increments which, in the opinion of the Minister
would have been granted to him, the annual
pensionable emoluments which would have been
so enjoyed shall be taken.
(2) For the purpose of determining under sub-rule (1) the
pensionable emoluments that an officer or man has enjoyed or
would have enjoyed, as the case may be, he shall be deemed -
( a ) to have been on duty on full pensionable emoluments
throughout the period of three years immediately
preceding the date of his retirement; and
( b ) to have enjoyed the benefit of any increase due to a
revision of salaries in the pensionable emoluments of
any office held by him as if such increase had been
payable throughout such period of three years.
(3) For the purpose of computing the amount of the pension of
an officer or man who has had a period of less than three years’
40 _g S.L.220.03
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE
pensionable service before his retirement -
( a ) the average annual pensionable emoluments enjoyed
by him during such period shall be taken;
( b ) he shall be deemed to have been on duty on full
pensionable emoluments throughout such period;
( c ) he shall be deemed to have enjoyed the benefit of any
increase due to a revision of salaries in the pensionable
emoluments of any office held by him as if such
increase had been payable throughout such period; and
( d ) any periods during which he has been absent from duty
on leave without salary, granted on grounds of public
policy with the approval of the President, and during
which he has not qualified for pension in respect of
other public service.
(4) In no circumstances shall the pensionable emoluments to
be taken exceed the full annual pensionable emoluments enjoyed
by the officer or man at the date of his retirement in respect of the
office then held by him.
(5) In the case of an officer or man to whom rule 5(1)( c )
applies, the date of retirement shall -
( a ) where such officer reaches the age of retirement; or
( b ) where such officer would have but for his dismissal
completed 25 years’ service; or
( c )  where such officer dies;
before his dismissal has been declared null by the competent
authority, be deemed to be the day on which he reaches the age of
retirement, or the day on which he would have completed 25 years’
service, or on which he died, whichever is the earlier, and his
pensionable emoluments to be taken into consideration shall be
those which he would have been receiving on such date had he not
been so dismissed.
Computation of 
pensions.
5. (1) For the purpose of computing the amount of an
officer’s or man’s pension the following periods shall be taken into
account as pensionable service:
( a ) any periods during which he has been in service with
the colours;
( b ) any periods during which he has been absent from duty
on leave with full salary;
( c ) any period following dismissal from the force, where
such dismissal is subsequently declared to have been
invalid by a competent authority, up to the time of
reinstatement, or the date when such officer or man
would have completed 25 years’ service, or the day on
which such officer or man would have to retire
because of age, or the date when such officer dies,
whichever is the earlier;
And any periods during which he has been absent on leave other
than those specified above shall be deducted from the officers’ total
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE _g S.L.220.03 41
service in order to arrive at his period of pensionable service.
(2) For the purposes of sub-rule (1)( c ) and of rule 4(5), the
term "dismissal" shall be deemed to include termination of service
in terms of regulations 14 and 45 of the Regulations, and
"dismissed" shall be construed accordingly.
Acting service.
pensionable office in the force, the period of such service may be
taken into account as pensionable service under the Articles:
Provided that -
( a ) the period of such acting service was not part of the
pensionable service of the previous holder of the office
and does not fall to be reckoned as part of the officer’s
or man’s own pensionable service under the
Regulations or Articles in the force;
( b ) this period of service is immediately preceded, or
followed by service in a substantive capacity in the
force.
Abolition or 
reorganisation of 
office.
7.  If an officer or man retires or is removed from the force in
consequence of the abolition of his office, or for the purpose of
facilitating improvements in the force, by which greater efficiency
and economy can be effected, he may be granted a pension:
Provided, however, that if he has been in the force for less
than the qualifying period of ten years, he may be granted a pension
calculated in accordance with rule 2 as if there had been no
qualifying period:
And provided also that the grant of such pension shall be
subject to the condition that he shall be liable to be recalled to
service in the force:
Provided further that if such an officer or man is not
qualified for other employment in the force or if there is no reason,
in the opinion of the Minister, to expect that he can be shortly re-
employed, a pension may be granted to him free from the above
mentioned condition.
Rates of pension 
when offices are 
abolished.
8.  An officer or man whose office is abolished may be
granted an increase of his pension at the rate of one-sixtieth part of
his annual pensionable emoluments for each complete period of
three years’ pensionable service:
Provided -
( a ) the addition shall in no case exceed ten- sixtieths; and
( b ) no addition shall be made so as to qualify an officer or
man for a pension of higher annual value than that for
which he would have been qualified by length of
service on reaching the age at which he may be
required to retire, or for a pension of higher annual
value than the maximum prescribed in article 4 of the
Articles.
42 _g S.L.220.03
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE
Officers retiring on 
account of injuries.
9.  (1) Where an officer or man has been permanently
injured-
(a) in the actual discharge of his duty, and
( b ) without his own default, and
( c ) by some injury specifically attributable to the nature of
his duty,
and his retirement is thereby necessitated or materially accelerated,
he may, if he is qualified for a pension under rule 2, be granted, in
addition to the pension granted to him under that rule, an additional
pension at the rate of the proportion of his actual pensionable
emoluments at the date of his injury appropriate to his case as
shown in the following table:
When his capacity to contribute to his own support is -
slightly impaired  .............................................. five-sixtieths;
impaired ............................................................ ten-sixtieths;
materially impaired  ..................................... fifteen-sixtieths;
totally destroyed  ......................................... twenty-sixtieths:
Provided that the amount of the additional pension shall be
reduced to such an extent as the Minister shall think reasonable in
the following cases:
(i) where the injured officer or man has continued
to serve for not less than one year after the
injury in respect of which he retires;
(ii) where the injured officer or man is at the date of
injury within ten years of the age at which he
may be required to retire; or
(iii) where the injury is not the sole cause of
retirement, but the retirement is caused partly by
age or infirmity not due to the injury:
Provided also that the total amount of the additional
pension shall not exceed the amount prescribed in article 4(2) of
the Articles.
Pensions to 
officers and men 
when service is 
less than ten years.
(2) An officer or man so injured, whose length of service is not
such as to qualify him for a pension under rule 2, may nevertheless
be granted a pension at the rate of one four-hundred and fiftieth of
his pensionable emoluments for each complete month of
pensionable service together with such additional pension as might
be awarded to him under the preceding part of this rule if he were
qualified for pension.
Pension to widows 
of officers and men 
killed in the 
discharge of their 
duty.
10. (1) Where an officer or man without his own default has
been killed in the actual discharge of his duty or has died from such
injury specifically attributable to the nature of his duty or has been
killed while in the actual discharge of his duty, a pension may be
granted to his widow, while unmarried, not exceeding ten-sixtieths
of the husband’s pensionable emoluments at the day of the injury;
and a pension may be granted to each child of such officer or man,
until such child attains the age of eighteen years, not exceeding
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE _g S.L.220.03 43
one-sixth of the rate awardable to the widow, so long as the
aggregate of the children’s pensions do not exceed the rate
awardable to the widow.
(2) The foregoing provision shall apply also in case the officer
or man, after he shall have been pensioned under rule 9, dies from
the direct and immediate effects of the injury sustained.
(3) If the officer’s or man’s wife predeceases him, of if no
pension is granted to her under this article, and he leaves children
who would have been eligible for pension, if a pension had been
granted to the widow, pensions may be granted to them of twice the
amount of the pensions for which they would have been eligible in
the circumstances.
(4) If the deceased does not leave a widow or motherless
children, but leaves a mother who was wholly dependent on him for
maintenance, the award which might have been made to the widow
had there been one left, may be made to the mother, but it shall
cease, if she be a widow, in case of remarriage.
Good conduct 
required.
11.  (1) Pensions, computed at the rate before mentioned, shall
only be granted in case of decidedly faithful and meritorious
service.
(2) Where the fidelity and diligence of the officer or man fall
short of the first degree of merit the computation may be made at
lower rates. 
44 _g S.L.220.03
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE
Added by: FOURTH SCHEDULE
L.N. 130 of 1998.
Amended by:
L.N. 13 of 1999.
(Regulation 59)
Statute of the Armed Forces of Malta Staff Association
Name
1.  There is hereby established a Staff Association to be known by the name of
the Armed Forces of Malta Staff Association, hereinafter called "the Staff
Association".
2. Any word or term in this Statute shall have the same meaning as is assigned
to it in the Armed Forces of Malta Act, unless the context otherwise requires. 
Objective and Responsibility
3. The objective of the Staff Association is to enable all members of the Armed
Forces of Malta to express their views to Government, through their representatives
(hereinafter called the "spokesman representatives"), on defined aspects concerning
their pay and conditions of service set out in this Statute.
4. The Staff Association will represent all ranks in the Armed Forces of Malta.
5. The responsibility of the Staff Association is to work, in cooperation with
the Government, on behalf of the interests of all members of the Armed Forces of
Malta, in ameliorating the pay and conditions of service of all ranks, with a view to
enhancing the efficiency, effectiveness and morale of the Force.
Terms of Reference
6. The terms of reference of the Staff Association are limited to the following
areas:
( a ) Consultation on all areas of pay, pensions and allowances not pertaining
to individual cases.
( b ) Other specific conditions of service affecting welfare, daily
administrative routine and training matters, military accommodation,
workplace and barracks facilities, sporting and recreational facilities,
medical and hygiene facilities, leave and educational facilities.
( c ) Health and safety at work (excluding operational aspects).
7.  The terms of reference of the Staff Association exclude the following:
( a ) Any matter which affects the internal or external security of Malta.
( b ) Any proceedings in respect of military offences being considered under
the Armed Forces of Malta Act.
( c ) Any areas which would tend to undermine the daily exercise of military
discipline, or the military training, or operational effectiveness of the
Armed Forces of Malta.
( d ) All individual promotion and posting issues.
( e ) Any matters of a political nature.
( f ) Any individual cases which are the subject of military discipline or
which fall at the time within the ambit of consideration by the President,
any established Tribunal or Commission for the investigation of Armed
Forces of Malta matters, the Ombudsman or the Commander of the
Armed Forces of Malta under existing rights of redress.
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE _g S.L.220.03 45
( g ) Any negotiating rights with Government over pay, pensions or
allowances.
( h ) The raising of fees or subscriptions.
( i ) The use of strikes to achieve its demands or its affiliation to any civilian
Unions or other Maltese Staff Associations.
Composition of the Staff Association
8. The Staff Association shall be composed of fifteen spokesman
representatives, consisting of four Officers, three Warrant Officers, three Non-
Commissioned Officers and five Gunners.
9. Five spokesman representatives, consisting of one Officer, one Warrant
Officer, one Non-Commissioned Officer and two Gunners, shall be elected from 1st
Regiment AFM. Four spokesman representatives, consisting of one Officer, one
Warrant Officer, one Non-Commissioned Officer and one Gunner, shall be elected
from each of 2nd Regiment AFM and 3rd Regiment AFM (1st Regiment AFM, 2nd
Regiment AFM, and 3rd Regiment AFM are hereinafter referred to as "the
Regiment"). Two spokesman representatives, consisting of one Officer and one
Gunner, shall be elected from Headquarters, Armed Forces of Malta (hereinafter
referred to as "the Headquarters"). This composition is shown in the Table below:
Election to the Staff Association
10.  All ranks in the Armed Forces of Malta shall have the right to elect
spokesman representatives and to be elected as spokesman representatives to the
Staff Association.
11. Each Regiment and the Headquarters shall elect spokesman representatives
to the Staff Association every two years on the basis of free votes cast by members
of the Armed Forces of Malta serving in the relevant four groups of ranks set out in
paragraph 9 of this Statute. Each of the spokesman representatives in the four groups
of ranks will be elected by votes cast by their peers in the four ranks.
12.  The Commanding Officer of each Regiment and the Camp Commandant in
Headquarters shall each be considered as the Returning Officer and the Electoral
Officer for the purpose of the conduct of the vote in their Regiment or in the
Headquarters. The Commander, Armed Forces of Malta shall be the authority to
issue the writ for elections and to determine the place or places where elections are
to be held.
13. The Commanding Officer of each Regiment and the Camp Commandant in
the Headquarters shall invite nominees to stand for election from each of the four
different groups of ranks set out in paragraph 9 of this Statute. They shall publish
lists of candidates to become spokesman representatives fourteen days before voting
day. The list shall be published in alphabetical order set out by the groups of ranks in
paragraph 9 of this Statute.
Spokesman 
Representative Groups
1 Regiment
AFM
2 Regiment 
AFM
3 Regiment 
AFM
Headquarters 
Armed Forces of 
Malta
Officers One One One One
Warrant Officers One One One
Non-Commissioned
Officers
One One One
Gunners Two One One One
TOTALS Five Four Four  Two
46 _g S.L.220.03
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE
14. All ranks of the Armed Forces of Malta shall have the right to one vote,
which may be cast by them for the candidate of their choice in their own appropriate
rank. Voting shall be held by secret ballot.
15. A spokesman representative shall be elected when he or she has the backing
of more than 50% of those eligible to vote. If the necessary majority is not achieved
in the first ballot, then the two candidates who received most votes in the first ballot
may stand for the second poll. The candidate who receives most votes in the second
ballot is deemed to be elected. If the votes are equal, an additional poll shall follow.
16. Spokesman representatives shall serve for one term of two years and may
stand to be re-elected to serve in the Staff Association for one further term of two
years. Spokesman representatives shall be obliged to stand down at the end of their
second term.
17. Spokesman representatives shall be ineligible to serve on the Staff
Association if, as a result of promotion, they cease to represent the rank in paragraph
9 which they were elected to the Staff Association to represent, or if they cease to
serve in the Regiment which they were elected to represent, or if they leave the
Service, or are otherwise unable satisfactorily to fulfil the duties as spokesman
representative which they have been elected to perform.
18. If a spokesman representative is obliged to terminate his tenure before
completion of the two year term of office, the spokesman representative from the
same Regiment or the Headquarters who is the next eligible in the last ballot for
election from the same group of ranks in paragraph 9 as the former spokesman
representative, will be nominated to replace him or her within three months of the
termination of tenure. If no alternative spokesman representatives are eligible for
nomination, a spokesman representative from the same Regiment or Headquarters
selected from the same group of ranks in paragraph 9 as himself or herself shall be
elected on the basis of the election procedures set out in this Statute.
19. The spokesman representatives elected to the Staff Association shall remain
in office until the election of the Chairman and Secretary of a new Staff Association
set out in this Statute below.
Appointment of Chairman and Secretary
20. The Staff Association shall appoint a Chairman and a Secretary from
amongst those who have been elected to serve in the Staff Association. The
Chairman will be elected from among the Officer spokesman representatives and the
Secretary from among the Warrant Officer, or Non-Commissioned Officer, or
Gunner spokesman representatives.
21.  The Chairman and the Secretary shall be elected to their posts by a free vote
in a secret ballot among all the spokesman representatives who have been elected to
the Staff Association.
The Chairman and the Secretary shall be elected when he or she has the
backing of more than 50% of the spokesman representatives in a vote which will be
conducted on the same lines as those set out in paragraph 15.
Method of Operation
22. The first meeting of the Staff Association shall be convened by the
Commander, Armed Forces of Malta within one month of the election of spokesman
representatives to the Staff Association for the purpose of electing the Chairman and
Secretary as set out in this Statute.
23. Following election of the Staff Association, spokesman representatives from
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE _g S.L.220.03 47
each Regiment and the Headquarters shall hold separate, regular monthly meetings
in each of the Regiments and the Headquarters which they represent to raise points
for subsequent discussion within the Staff Association.
24. The Staff Association shall meet within two months of the date of the
meeting convened to elect the Chairman and the Secretary, and bi-monthly
thereafter.
25.  A quorum of the Staff Association shall consist of half the number of
spokesman representatives, plus one. If, after allowing a period of half an hour for a
quorum, none is formed, the Chairman shall call a new meeting within seven days.
26. The Staff Association shall discuss subjects raised by spokesman
representatives from the Regiments and the Headquarters, and take them forward as
they may so decide. The Chairman will be guided by the views of the majority in
deciding the course of action to be adopted.
27. The agenda of subjects for discussion to be raised by spokesman
representatives from each of the Regiments and the Headquarters shall be published
by the Chairman and communicated to all the other spokesman representatives in the
Staff Association at least five days before each bi-monthly meeting.
28. Records of meetings shall be kept by the Secretary. These must be signed by
the Chairman.
29. Bi-monthly meetings of the Staff Association and monthly meetings of
spokesman representatives in each Regiment and the Headquarters shall be permitted
within normal working hours.
Access to the Commander, Armed Forces of Malta
30. The Chairman of the Staff Association and one spokesman representative
selected from each of the four groups of ranks in the Staff Association shall have
regular direct access to the Commander, Armed Forces of Malta.
Access to the Minister
31. The Chairman of the Staff Association and one spokesman representative
selected from each of the four groups of ranks in the Staff Association shall have
regular, direct access to the Minister every six months on dates to be mutually agreed
between the Chairman and the Office of the Minister.
Regular Reports to all Ranks
32. The Chairman of the Staff Association shall institute arrangements to keep
all ranks in the Armed Forces of Malta regularly informed of developments in the
Staff Association.
33. It shall be permitted for Staff Association notices to be displayed on official
notice boards in barrack accommodation of the Armed Forces of Malta.
Subscriptions
34. No subscription shall be raised for, or on behalf of, the Staff Association.
Office and Emblem
35. The Staff Association shall meet at a suitable office, conference room or
lecture hall on the premises of the Armed Forces of Malta, as the Chairman may
decide.
36. The Staff Association may device an emblem which may include the badge
of the Armed Forces of Malta, as the Chairman may decide with the approval of the
majority of spokesman representatives.
48 _g S.L.220.03
APPOINTMENTS AND CONDITIONS 
OF SERVICE OF THE REGULAR FORCE
Foreign Membership or Contacts
37. The Staff Association may maintain such contacts with internationally
recognised foreign, military Staff Associations, as the Chairman may decide with the
approval of the majority of spokesman representatives.
