Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom) explained

Post:	Vice-Chief
Body:	the Defence Staff
Insignia:	MinistryofDefence.svg
Insigniasize:	110
Insigniacaption:	Badge of the Ministry of Defence
Incumbent:	General Dame Sharon Nesmith
Incumbentsince:	June 2024
Department:	Ministry of Defence
Abbreviation:	VCDS
Member Of:	Defence Council Chiefs of Staff Committee
Reports To:	Chief of the Defence Staff
Nominator:	Secretary of State for Defence
Appointer:	Prime Minister
Precursor:	Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff
Formation:	February 1964
First:	Air Chief Marshal Sir Alfred Earle
Website:	Official website

The Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff (VCDS) is the deputy to the Chief of the Defence Staff, the professional head of the British Armed Forces.^[1] It is also the second most senior position within the British Armed Forces. The position was titled Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff before 1964.^[2] From 1966 to 1978 the post was occupied by a 3 star officer. From 1978 the post has been held by a 4 star officer.

Responsibilities

The Vice Chief of the Defence Staff deputises for the Chief of the Defence Staff and has responsibility for running the armed forces aspects of defence business, principally through the central staff. VCDS is responsible for:

• Deputising for CDS (in particular as Military Strategic Commander)
• Co-ordinating delivery of top-level decisions-making, implementation and monitoring progress
• Leading senior military judgement for the future development of the armed forces including the definition and delivery for military capability requirements; and being capability sponsor for capital projects and programmes
• Defence Board lead for military personnel and training (including Reserves)
• Leading the preparation of the armed forces input to SDSRs
• (with CDS) conduct of the military strategic dialogue^[3]

List of Vice Chiefs of the Defence Staff

These are:^[2]

Notes and References

1. http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/People/ChiefsOfStaff/ViceChiefOfTheDefenceStaffvcds.htm Vice Chief of Defence Staff
2. Web site: V: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE AND TRI-SERVICE SENIOR APPOINTMENTS. 11 February 2012.
3. Web site: General Gwyn Jenkins CB OBE ADC . 2023-06-29 . GOV.UK . en. Text was copied from this source, which is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright.