Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (United Kingdom) explained

Post:	Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff
Flag:	Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg
Flagsize:	120px
Flagcaption:	Ensign of the Royal Navy
Department:	Ministry of Defence
Member Of:	Admiralty Board, Navy Board, Navy Command
Reports To:	Second Sea Lord and Deputy Chief of Naval Staff and Fleet Commander
Appointer:	Prime Minister
Appointer Qualified:	Subject to formal approval by the King-in-Council
Termlength:	Not fixed (typically 1–3 years)
Inaugural:	Alexander Ludovic Duff
Formation:	1917

The Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (A.C.N.S.) is a senior appointment in the Royal Navy usually a two-star rank and has a NATO ranking code of OF-7.

History

The Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff was originally directly responsible to the First Sea Lord for non-operational divisions of the Admiralty Naval Staff, and held a position on the Board of Admiralty. The position was created in 1917 as one of two deputies with Board Status to whom the First Sea Lord delegated responsibility for the running of the Naval Staff. The position still exists today on the Admiralty Board which directs the Royal Navy.^[1]

Rear-Admiral Alexander L. Duff was appointed the first Assistant Chief of Naval Staff on 31 May 1917. The duties of the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff, shared with the First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff and the Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff.^[2]

The Assistant Chief of Naval Staff Continued in this capacity until 1941 when the office of the Vice Chief of Naval Staff was created they then supported that flag officer until 1985 when that post was abolished. During World war Two the combined responsibilities of the Assistant Chief Naval Staff were divided up with the creation of new Assistant Chiefs of the Naval Staff responsible for specific areas such as Home (Waters) and Foreign Commands, Trade, Operations and Air. However the ACNS remained responsible for Policy.

Additional Assistant Chiefs of Naval Staff ^[3]

New Additional Assistant Chiefs of Naval Staff were created for Warfare from 1953 to 1968 that was changed to Assistant Chief Naval Staff — Operational Requirements until 1985. The second world war post of Assistant Chief Naval Staff — Operations was revived in 1966 until 1968 then it was changed to Assistant Chief Naval Staff — Operations and Air until 1984.

In April 2012, Rear Admiral Matt Parr's post as Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff was re-designated Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Policy) and the former Chiefs of Staff responsible for Capability, Support, Aviation & Carriers and Personnel were also re-designated Assistant Chiefs of the Naval Staff.^[4]

There are now new additional posts of Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Aviation, Amphibious Capability and Carriers)^[5] and Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Submarines),^[6] as well as Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Policy), Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Personnel), Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Ships), Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Support), and Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Capability).^[7]

Note: The more Senior Vice Chief of the Naval Staff created in 1941 was abolished in 1985.

Duties

Notes: The Naval Staff runs the navy's operations and wartime strategy, and has a number of separate divisions, departments concerned with strategy and tactics, the planning and conduct of operations, and the collection and dissemination of intelligence.

From 1917 to 1945 ^{[8] [9]}

1. In Operations of War: Deal with all the large questions of naval policy and maritime warfare.
2. Ensure the fighting and sea-going efficiency of the fleet and its organisation.
3. Distribution and Movements of all Ships in Commission and in Reserve.
4. Superintendence of the naval staff.
5. Superintendence of the Hydrographic Department.
6. Administer all naval communications.

Post 1945 ^[10]

1. The Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff's primary aim to: Lead the naval staff effort to drive forward naval policy for the Navy.
2. Act as the First Sea Lord's Chief Executive and on his behalf
3. Direct the implementation of Admiralty Board and Service Executive Committee (Navy Board) policy
4. Provide a high level guidance and prioritisation needed by the Naval Commands to deliver their military outputs.
5. Superintendence of the naval staff.

Post 2010

Individual duties for Assistant Chiefs of the Naval Staff (Specialized Areas).

• (A. C. N. S.) Aviation and Carriers — Responsible for delivering aviation Force Elements at Readiness (including all Royal Navy fixed and rotary wing assets, and the two Naval Air Stations) in accordance with the Royal Navy plan and arising, contingent events. On behalf of Fleet Commander.^[11]
• (A. C. N. S.) Capability — Chairman of the Maritime Capability Board responsible for planning and delivery of the majority of future Maritime capabilities on behalf of the First Sea Lord. He works closely with FD(N), ACNS (Support), ACNS (Aviation and Carriers), and Head Office Di.^[12]
• (A. C. N. S.) Personnel — Responsible for the sustainable delivery of sufficient, capable and motivated personnel to the Naval Service in support of Defence Outcomes. The Admiral is accountable for all aspects (non-operational) of Personnel within the Naval Service. As Nav Sec.^[13]
• (A. C. N. S.) Support — ACNS(Spt) (supported by ACNS(A&C) for AV/CS) is responsible to the Fleet Commander for the integrated Force Generation of all RN/RM forces and units across all DLODs as directed by the resourced Command Plan and agreed with Operational Commanders.^[14]

Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff

Assistant Chiefs included:^[15]

• Rear-Admiral Sir Alexander Ludovic Duff, — (May 1917–August 1919), acting ACNS from 1917- January 1918^[16]
• Rear-Admiral James Fergusson, — (August 1919–February 1920)
• Rear-Admiral Sir Ernle Chatfield, — (February 1920–September 1922) ^[17]
• Rear-Admiral Cyril Fuller, — (September 1922–May 1923) ^[18]
• Rear-Admiral Arthur Kipling Waistell, — (May 1923–October 1924)
• Rear-Admiral Frederic Charles Dreyer, — (October 1924–April 1927) ^[19]
• Rear-Admiral Dudley P. R. Pound, — (April 1927–April 1929) ^[20]
• Rear-Admiral Wilfred Tomkinson, — (April 1929–May 1931)
• Rear-Admiral John Knowles Im Thurn, — (May 1931–February 1933) ^[21]
• Rear-Admiral Sidney R. Bailey, — (February 1933–July 1934)
• Rear-Admiral Charles Kennedy-Purvis, — (July 1934–October 1936)
• Rear-Admiral John H. D. Cunningham, — (October 1936-August 1937)
• Rear-Admiral Lancelot E. Holland, — (August 1937–January 1939)
• Rear-Admiral Harold M. Burrough, — (January 1939–September 1940) ^[22]

Note: From 1940-1946 split into separate specific areas of responsibility see: ACNS Home, Foreign, U-Boat and Trade, Weapons, Air and Operations

Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Home)

See main article: Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Home).

Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Foreign)

See main article: Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Foreign).

Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (U boat and Trade)

See main article: Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (U boat and Trade).

Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Weapons)

See main article: Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Weapons).

Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Air)

See main article: Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Air).

Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Operations)

See main article: Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Operations).

Note: Changed back to Assistant Chief Naval Staff

Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff

• Rear-Admiral Geoffrey N. Oliver, — (December 1946–August 1948)
• Rear-Admiral Ralph A. B. Edwards, — (August 1948–February 1951)
• Rear-Admiral Eric G. A. Clifford, — (February 1951–June 1952)
• Rear-Admiral Robert Elkins, — (June 1952–August 1954)
• Rear-Admiral Michael G. Goodenough, — (August 1954-January 1956)
• Rear-Admiral Royston H. Wright, — (January 1956–February 1958)
• Rear-Admiral Desmond P. Dreyer, — (February 1958–November 1959)
• Rear-Admiral Antony B. Cole, — (November 1959–February 1962)
• Rear-Admiral Peter Hill-Norton, — (February 1962-March 1964)
• Rear-Admiral Michael P. Pollock, — (March 1964–April 1966)

Note:Changed to Assistant Chief of Naval Staff - Policy until 1984 ^[23]

Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Policy)

• Rear-Admiral John Adams, — (April 1966–January 1968)
• Rear-Admiral Terence Lewin, — (January 1968–June 1969)
• Rear-Admiral Ian Easton, — (June 1969–April 1971)
• Rear-Admiral Henry C. Leach, — (April 1971–November 1973)
• Rear-Admiral Peter E.C. Berger, — (November 1973–December 1975)
• Rear-Admiral Michael L. Stacey, — (December 1975–July 1976)
• Rear-Admiral Bryan J. Straker, — (July 1976–June 1978)
• Rear-Admiral James E.C. Kennon, — (June 1978–December 1979)
• Rear-Admiral Derek R. Reffell, — (December 1979–December 1981)
• Rear-Admiral Geoffrey T.J.O. Dalton, — (December 1981–October 1984)

Note: Changed back to Assistant Chief of Naval Staff

Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff

• Rear-Admiral Jeremy Black, — (October 1984–July 1986)
• Rear-Admiral Michael Livesay, — (July 1986–December 1988)
• Rear-Admiral Hugo White, – (December 1988–February 1991)
• Rear-Admiral Peter C. Abbott, — (February 1991–September 1993)
• Rear-Admiral John R. Brigstocke, — (September 1993–March 1995)
• Rear-Admiral Jeremy J. Blackman, – (March 1995–May 1997)
• Rear-Admiral Jonathan Band, — (May 1997–December 1999) ^[24]
• Rear-Admiral James M. Burnell-Nugent, — (December 1999–April 2001)
• Rear-Admiral Timothy P. McClement, —(April 2001–May 2003)
• Rear-Admiral Adrian J. Johns:, — (May 2003–July 2005)
• Rear-Admiral Alan M. Massey, — (July 2005–February 2008)
• Rear-Admiral Robert G. Cooling, — (February 2008–June 2009)
• Rear-Admiral Philip A. Jones, — (June 2009–December 2011)

Note: Changed back to Assistant Chief of Naval Staff -Policy

Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Policy)

On behalf of the First Sea Lord and through the Admiralty and Navy Boards, ACNS (Pol) is responsible for the direction and development of strategic policy and strategy for the Royal Navy.^[25]

• Rear-Admiral Matthew J. Parr — (January 2012–May 2013)
• Rear-Admiral Clive Johnstone — (May 2013–September 2015)
• Rear-Admiral Nicholas W. Hine — (September 2015–January 2019)^[26]
• Major-General Gwyn Jenkins — (January 2019–September 2020)^[27]
• Rear-Admiral Iain S. Lower — (September 2020–December 2022)^[28]
• Rear-Admiral Anthony K. Rimington — (December 2022–Present)^[29]

Note: This post is also known as Director Strategy and Policy.^[29]

Naval Assistants to the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff

Staff officers would normally be supported by a Naval Assistant and a Personal Secretary usually they would be either a Lieutenant commander, Commander or a Captain.^[30]

Additional Assistant Chiefs of the Naval Staff (specialized areas)

Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Warfare)

• Rear-Admiral Geoffrey Barnard, October 1952-January 1953 ^[31]
• Rear-Admiral Arthur Pedder, — (January 1953–October 1954) ^[32]
• Rear-Admiral Rear-Admiral William John Yendell, — (October 1954–July 1957) ^[33]
• Rear-Admiral Henry C. N. Rolfe, — (July 1957–June 1960)
• Rear-Admiral Maurice J. Ross, — (June 1960–October 1963)
• Rear-Admiral John G. B. Cooke, — (October 1963–March 1966)
• Rear-Admiral Anthony Griffin, — (March 1966–May 1968)

Note:Post Abolished 1968 changed to ACNS Operational Requirements

Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Operations and Air)

• Rear-Admiral Leslie Derek Empson, — (July 1968–July 1969)
• Rear-Admiral Douglas G. Parker, — (July 1969–June 1971) ^[34]
• Rear-Admiral Peter Austin, — (June 1971–June 1973) ^[35]
• Rear-Admiral James W. Dunbar Cook, — (June 1973–February 1975)
• Rear-Admiral C. R. Peter Branson, — (February 1975–February 1977) ^[36]
• Rear-Admiral John Gerard-Pearse, — (February 1977–January 1979)
• Rear-Admiral Martin La Touche-Wemyss, — (January 1979–January 1981)
• Rear-Admiral Anthony Whetstone, — (January 1981–April 1983)
• Rear-Admiral Linley Eric Middleton, — (April 1983–July 1984) ^[37]
• Rear-Admiral Kenneth A. Snow, — (July–October 1984)

Note: Post abolished 1984

Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Operational Requirements)

• Rear-Admiral J. Rae McKaig, — (May 1968–October 1970) ^[38]
• Rear-Admiral Philip Higham, — (October 1970-October 1972)
• Rear-Admiral James Jungius, — (October 1972–November 1974)
• Rear-Admiral Alan G. Watson, — (November 1974–November 1976)
• Rear-Admiral Stephen Berthon, — (November 1976-February 1978) ^[39]
• Rear-Admiral Simon A. C. Cassels, — (February 1978–December 1980)
• Rear-Admiral Peter Stanford, — (December 1980–September 1982)
• Rear-Admiral Geoffrey G. W. Marsh, — (September 1982–May 1984) ^[40]
• Rear-Admiral John B. Kerr, — (September 1984–January 1985)

Note: Post abolished 1985

Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Capability)

See main article: Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Capability).

Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Personnel)

See main article: Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Personnel).

Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Ships and Submarines)

• Rear-Admiral Alexander J. Burton, — (October 2014–July 2015)

Note:Changed to ACNS (Submarines)

Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Ships)

Responsible for ensuring that DD/FF, SSN, SSBN, MW and HM vessels are generated fit for task through integration of all the Lines of Development.^{[41] [42]}

• Rear Admiral Christopher R S Gardner, (2017- 2019)
• Rear Admiral Jim Higham (2019- 2020)

Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Submarines)

• Rear-Admiral John S. Weale, — (July 2015–May 2020)
• Commodore Robert J. Anstey, - (March 2020 -), interim

Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Support)

• Rear-Admiral Peter Hudson, — (December 2011–February 2013)
• Rear-Admiral Ian Jess, — (March 2013–April 2015)
• Rear-Admiral Richard Stokes, — (April 2015–January 2018) ^[43]

Note: This post was renamed as Director Naval Support (DNS).^[44]

Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Training)

• Rear-Admiral Benjamin John Key, — (2014–2015)
• Rear-Admiral John R.H. Clink, — (July 2016–2017)
• Rear-Admiral William J. Warrender, — (2017–2019)

Note: This post was reassigned to Commander Fleet Operational Sea Training.

Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (People & Transformation)

• Rear-Admiral Philip Hally — (2019–2021)^[45]
• Rear-Admiral Jude Terry — (2021–Present)^[46]

Note: This post is also known as Director People & Training.^{[47] [48]}

See also

• Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff
• Vice Chief of the Naval Staff
• First Sea Lord
• Second Sea Lord
• Third Sea Lord
• Fourth Sea Lord
• Fifth Sea Lord

Attribution

Primary source for this article is by Harley Simon, Lovell Tony, (2017), Assistant Chief of Naval Staff, dreadnoughtproject.org, http://www.dreadnoughtproject.org.

Sources

• http://www.gulabin.com/Royal Navy - Senior Appointments

Notes and References

1. Web site: Harley. Simon. Lovell. Tony. Assistant Chief of Naval Staff. dreadnoughtproject.org. Dreadnought Project, 3 November 2015. 23 November 2016.
2. Web site: Harley. Simon. Lovell. Tony. Assistant Chief of Naval Staff, Duff Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 80.. dreadnoughtproject.org. Dreadnought Project, 3 November 2015. 23 November 2016.
3. Web site: Transparency data Navy Command senior, as of April 2015. www.gov.uk. Ministry of Defence, 2015. 22 November 2016.
4. http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/About-the-Royal-Navy/Organisation/Senior-Naval-Staff Serving Flag and General Officers
5. Web site: Rear Admiral Keith E Blount OBE - Rear Admiral Fleet Air Arm - Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Aviation, Amphibious Capability & Carriers) . . 20 January 2016.
6. Web site: Rear Admiral John Weale OBE - Flag Officer Scotland & Northern Ireland - Rear Admiral Submarines - Assistant Chief of Naval Staff Submarines . . 20 January 2016.
7. Web site: Navy Command senior, as of March 2012. www.gov.uk. Ministry of Defence, 21 August 2013. 23 November 2016.
8. Web site: Archives. The National. The Discovery Service:Records of the Navy Board and the Board of Admiralty. discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk. The National Archives, ADM 116/3392, 2016. 23 November 2016.
9. Web site: Assistant Chief of Naval Staff - The Dreadnought Project, War Staff Duties." Jellicoe Papers. British Library. Add. MS. 48992. ff. 94-95.. www.dreadnoughtproject.org. Dreadnought Project. 18 March 2017. en.
10. Web site: Organisation: How the Royal Navy is Managed. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20091204140041/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/training-and-people/the-rn-today/organisation/. dead. 4 December 2009. nationalarchives.gov.uk. The National Archives, Ministry of Defence, 2009. 21 July 2017.
11. Web site: Transparency data Navy Command senior, as of March 2014. www.gov.uk. Ministry of Defence, 2014. 22 November 2016.
12. Web site: Transparency data Navy Command senior, as of March 2014. www.gov.uk. Ministry of Defence, 2014. 22 November 2016.
13. Web site: Transparency data Navy Command senior, as of March 2014. www.gov.uk. Ministry of Defence, 2014. 22 November 2016.
14. Web site: Transparency data Navy Command senior, as of March 2014. www.gov.uk. Ministry of Defence, 2014. 22 November 2016.
15. Web site: Mackie. Colin. Royal Navy - Senior Appointments. gulabin.com. Gulabin, pp.18-20, 2010-2014. 23 November 2016.
16. Book: Woodward. David. America and World War I: A Selected Annotated Bibliography of English-Language Sources. 2013. Routledge. 9781135864798. 68. en.
17. Web site: The Admiralty British Government Department, 1920s. warwick.ac.uk. University of Warwick, 2011. 23 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20170115235605/https://homepages.warwick.ac.uk/~lysic/1920s/admiralty.htm. 2017-01-15. dead.
18. Web site: The Admiralty British Government Department, 1920s. warwick.ac.uk. University of Warwick, 2011. 23 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20170115235605/https://homepages.warwick.ac.uk/~lysic/1920s/admiralty.htm. 2017-01-15. dead.
19. Web site: The Admiralty British Government Department, 1920s. warwick.ac.uk. University of Warwick, 2011. 23 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20170115235605/https://homepages.warwick.ac.uk/~lysic/1920s/admiralty.htm. 2017-01-15. dead.
20. Web site: The Admiralty British Government Department, 1920s. warwick.ac.uk. University of Warwick, 2011. 23 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20170115235605/https://homepages.warwick.ac.uk/~lysic/1920s/admiralty.htm. 2017-01-15. dead.
21. Web site: Bevand. Paul. Biography of Vice-Admiral John Knowles Im Thurn. hmshood.com. HMS Hood Association, 6 May 2014. 23 November 2016.
22. Web site: Watson. Graham. The Organisation of the Admiralty 1939 to 1945. naval-history.net. Gordon Smith, Naval History.Net, 19 Sep 2015. 22 November 2016.
23. Web site: Mackie. Colin. Royal Navy - Senior Appointments. gulabin.com. Gulabin, pp.18-20, 2010-2014. 23 November 2016.
24. Book: Heyman. Charles. The Armed Forces of the United Kingdom 2007-2008. 2006. Casemate Publishers. Barnsley. 9781844154890. 59. en.
25. Web site: Transparency data Navy Command senior, as of March 2014. www.gov.uk. Ministry of Defence, 2014. 22 November 2016.
26. Web site: Navy Board. royalnavy.mod.uk. MOD, UK, 2016. 24 November 2016.
27. Web site: Press Reader Article. PressReader . Daily Telegraphy. 9 March 2019.
28. Web site: Rear Admiral Iain S. Lower MA. 17 December 2020.
29. Web site: Navy Board. Royal Navy. 31 December 2022.
30. Web site: Navy lists - 1913-1921, 1944-1945 - Quarterly -1945. nls.uk. National Library of Scotland. 23 November 2016.
31. Book: Cook. Chris. The Routledge Guide to British Political Archives: Sources since 1945. 2012. Routledge. 9781136509612. 13. en.
32. Web site: Vice-Admiral Sir Arthur Pedder. swipnet.se. The Times, 22 June 1995. 23 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161123203122/http://home1.swipnet.se/~w-11578/pedder.html. 23 November 2016. dead.
33. Web site: Houterman. Hans. Koppes. Jeroen. Royal Navy Officers - Yates, A.V.S. to Yunge-Bateman, J.E.J.. unithistories.com. Koppes & Houterman 2009-2016. 23 November 2016.
34. Book: Wilson. Alastair. Callo. Joseph F.. Who's who in naval history from 1550 tot the present. 2004. Routledge. London [etc.]. 9780415308281. 236. 1. publ..
35. Web site: Vice-Admiral Sir Peter Austin: Obituries. telegraph.co.uk. The Daily Telegraph, 8 Sep, 2005. 23 November 2016.
36. Web site: Rear-Admiral Peter Branson. Telegraph.co.uk. The Daily Telegraph, 6 Feb 2011. 23 November 2016.
37. Web site: Rear-Admiral Linley Middleton. Telegraph.co.uk. The Daily Telegraph, 1 Dec, 2012. 23 November 2016.
38. Book: Hampshire. Dr Edward. From East of Suez to the Eastern Atlantic: British Naval Policy 1964-70. Apr 28, 2013. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.. 9781409466147. 264. en.
39. Web site: Houterman. Hans. Koppes. Jeroen. Royal Navy Officers. unithistories.com. Houterman and Koppes, 2009-2016. 23 November 2016.
40. Web site: Rear-Admiral Geoff Marsh - obituary. Telegraph.co.uk. The Daily Telegraph, 12 Nov, 2014. 23 November 2016.
41. Book: Civil Service Year Book:United Kingdom Ministers, Departments and Executive Agencies . 2017 . Dandy Booksellers Ltd . London, England . 9781787320345 . 53RD . Ministry of Defence (MoD) Navy Command.
42. Web site: Admirals October 2020 . Mackie . Colin . 1 October 2020 . gulabin.com . Colin Mackie . 4 November 2020 . Higham Director, Ship Support, Defence Equipment and Support, December 2020.
43. Web site: INEC 2016 Keynote Address - Rear Admiral Richard Stokes, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Support), Royal Navy, UK. imarest.org. Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology, 5 May 2016. 24 November 2016.
44. Web site: The Navy Directory 2019 . royalnavy.mod.uk . Royal Navy . 4 November 2020 . 8 . 1 January 2019.
45. Web site: Phil Hally. DSEI. 6 April 2020.
46. News: Taylor . Ed . Islander is Navy's first female Rear Admiral . 28 May 2021 . Jersey Evening Post . 27 May 2021 . en.
47. News: . NAVY'S TOP APPRENTICES SINGLED OUT . Royal Navy . 11 March 2020 . 7 November 2020.
48. News: . HMS COLLINGWOOD CELEBRATES EIGHTY YEARS OF TRAINING . Royal Navy . 24 September 2020 . 7 November 2020.