1.0 Senior Commanders, MOD
There are a number of senior military officers within the Head Office and Corporate Affairs branch of the MOD at Whitehall who have a direct and indirect impact on the British military’s training curriculum across the spectrum of Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 training.
Figure 1 outlines the senior military officers within MOD Whitehall and their respective chains of command.
Figure 1: Senior military officers at MOD Whitehall
2.0 Chief of the Defence Staff
The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), an OF-9 level officer, is the professional head of the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom.
2.1 Vice Chief of the Defence Staff
The Vice Chief of the Defence Staff (VDCS), an OF-9 level officer, assists the CGS post-holder.
2.2 Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Military Capability)
The Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Military Capability) (DCDS(Mil Cap)), an OF-8 level officer, acts as an identifiable, responsible and strong Capability Sponsor across the MOD Unified Customer in order to deliver capability that meets the endorsed requirements. Priority is given to current operations exploiting both Equipment Plan and Urgent Operational Requirement processes. DCDS(Mil Cap)’s other key objective is to generate and implement an affordable, balanced and coherent Equipment and Equipment Support Plan which is realistic and has agility. DCDS(Mil Cap) chairs the Military Capabilities Board (MCB).
2.3 Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Capability & Force Development)
The Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Capability & Force Development) (ACDS(C&FD)), an OF-7 level officer, is a member of the MCB leading on coherence across all the Defence Lines of Development, force structure and performance management
2.4 Head Military Capability Army
The role of the Head Military Capability Army, an OF-6 level officer, is the resource planning and capability coherence for Army.
2.5 Head Military Capability Joint
The role of the Head Military Capability Joint, an OF-6 level officer, is the resource planning and capability coherence for Joint Forces Command and Head Office.
2.6 Head Military Capability Air
The role of the Head Military Capability Air, an OF-6 level officer, is the resource planning and capability coherence for Air.
2.7 Head Military Capability Strategy Management
The Head Military Capability Strategy Management, an OF-6 level officer, is responsible for overall capability coherence, force structure and performance management.
2.8 Head Military Capability Navy
The role of the Head Military Capability Navy, an OF-6 level officer, is the resource planning and capability coherence for Navy.
2.9 DOC Head
The role of DOC Head, an OF-6 level officer, is to produce Defence Operational Lessons and conduct Audit of Defence capability.
2.10 Deputy Chief of Defence (Personnel)
The Deputy Chief of Defence Personnel (DCDS (Pers)), an OF-8 level officer, is the Service personnel Process Owner who directs and coordinates Joint Service Personnel Strategy in order that sufficient Service personnel are recruited, trained, and retained to sustain the Armed Forces.
DCDS (Pers)’s principal role is to ensure that the right policies, strategies and legislation are in place to deliver sufficient, capable and motivated people both today and in the future, as well as ensuring that Defence obligations for past service are met. DCDS (Pers) reports to the VCDS and attends the Defence Operating Board as required. Drawing on the advice of the Principal Personnel Officers on the Service Personnel Board, the DCDS (Pers) is responsible for advising the Defence Board and Defence Operating Board on joint Service personnel matters and for the formulation of joint Service personnel policy. Finally, DCDS (Pers) is the Senior Responsible Owner for the Defence Technical Training Change Programme.
2.11 Director Service Personnel Policy
As one of the two Service Personnel Operating Officers (SPOOs) Director Service Personnel Policy, a SCS2, directs the work of the Service Personnel Staff on behalf of DCDS (Pers), and are responsible for directing the execution of the work of the Service Personnel Staff. This includes:
- Chairmanship of the Service Personnel Operating Board;
- Day-to-day prioritisation in response to events;
- Line management of the Heads of the policy divisions;
- Facilitation of the policy formulation process, through frequent dialogue with the policy divisions and their counterparts in the Services personnel staffs; and
- Assurance of the quality and timeliness of work carried out by the Service Personnel Staff.
2.12 Head Strategy and Programme Management
Strategy and Programme Management is a Division of Service Personnel Policy and is split into two staff teams, responsible for Service Personnel strategy and NEM (New Employment Model).
2.13 Remuneration
Remuneration is a Division of Service Personnel Policy and is responsible for formulating, maintaining and developing pay, charges and allowances policy which is fair to the individual, to the Armed Forces and to the taxpayer and supports the delivery of operational capability. The Division is also responsible for strategic manning policy and the Armed Forces Redundancy Schemes and for providing co-ordination and a policy framework for the current Armed Forces redundancy programme.
2.14 Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Personnel)/Defence Services Secretary
One of two Service Personnel Operating Officers (SPOO) the Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Personnel) (ACDS (Pers)), an OF-7 level officer, also has the role of Defence Services Secretary (DS Sec). The Honours and Ceremonial Division supports ACDS (Pers) in both roles. The Division has a wide portfolio focused on policy for medals and commemorations; and Royal Household business. DS Sec is a member of the Royal Household.
DS Sec also manages tri-Service appointments and Senior Officer remuneration in support of CDS. The DS Sec and the Royal Household Team, support the Queen as Head of the Armed Forces and ensures effective liaison between the Royal Household and the MOD. The team has responsibility for:
- Military manpower support;
- Submissions and Petitions;
- Royal patronage; and
- The co-ordination of Royal Visits to the Armed Forces.
The Ceremonial Events and Commemorations Team, develops and implements policies and events for national recognition of Armed Forces personnel, including being responsible for tri-Service policy for the national commemoration of anniversaries of significance to the Armed Forces and the MOD, and the delivery of these events.
2.15 Head Training Education Skills Recruitment and Resettlement
The Head of the Training Education Skills Recruitment and Resettlement (TESRR) Division, an OF-6 level officer, is responsible for MOD recruitment policy, setting, managing and assuring the Defence Training and Education Strategy (DTES) and the policy for SP resettlement and the delivery of 3rd Line resettlement (through a Public/Private partnership). TESRR is responsible for cohering the Training DLoD in TLCM and for the setting of strategic framework for Defence Training, Simulation and Infrastructure. TESRR works under ACDS (Pers) to facilitate the 3* Defence Training Board and enables subordinate governance and coordination arrangements.
