Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada)

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Chief of the Defence Staff
Chef d'état-major de la défense
Cdn-Army-Gen(OF-9)-2014.svg
The army epaulette for the rank of general
Incumbent
General Jonathan Vance CMM MSC CD
since 17 July 2015
Her Majesty's Canadian Armed Forces
Type Commissioned officer
Status Currently constituted
Abbreviation CDS
Reports to Commander-in-Chief
Term length At Her Majesty's pleasure
Formation 1964
Deputy Vice Chief of the Defence Staff
Website http://www.cds-cemd.forces.gc.ca/

The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) (French: Chef d'état-major de la défense) is the second most senior member of the Canadian Armed Forces (after the commander-in-chief) and heads the Armed Forces Council, having primary responsibility for command, control, and administration of the forces, as well as military strategy, plans, and requirements. The position is held by a senior member of one of the three main branches of the Canadian Armed Forces. The current CDS, since 17 July 2015, is Jonathan Vance.[1]

History

Until 1964, there existed a Chief of the Naval Staff, as head of the Royal Canadian Navy; a Chief of the General Staff, as head of the Canadian Army; and a Chief of the Air Staff, as head of the Royal Canadian Air Force. A position known as the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee existed, which had a loose coordination function, although it lacked the command and control responsibilities of the later position of Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS).[2]

The position of Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee and the positions of the three service chiefs were abolished in 1964 and replaced by the position of CDS. This change was based on a white paper initiated by Paul Hellyer, Minister of National Defence in the Cabinet headed by Lester B. Pearson.[3] Following the tabling of the white paper, the minister introduced legislation that took effect in August 1964. The newly established Chief of the Defence Staff was to "head all of Canada's military forces, backed by a defence headquarters that was integrated and restructured to reflect six so-called functional commands, replacing eleven former service commands. Functional described a command that was non-geographic and beyond any particular service or traditional arm."[3] In May 1967, Bill C-243 was passed by parliament and was effective as of 1 February 1968. The law dissolved the three armed services and created the Canadian Armed Forces under the command of the CDS.[4]

In 2011, the three functional commands—named Maritime Command, Land Force Command, and Air Command—had their original names reinstated, becoming once again the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, and Royal Canadian Air Force, respectively.[5]

Rank and command

The Chief of the Defence Staff follows in rank only the Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces, who appoints the CDS and is the person from whom the CDS receives his or her orders.[6] In practice, the commander-in-chief—the Canadian monarch, represented by the governor general—typically acts only on the advice of his or her ministers of the Crown, meaning the CDS normally reports directly to the Minister of National Defence.[6]

The CDS has been charged with four main priorities, each having multiple sub-priorities: The first is to conduct operations, which includes the successful implementation of domestic and international operations, protection of the forces through a culture of risk management, and ensuring that recruitment is at a level required to sustain the operational forces at full potential to meet their commitments.[7] Secondly, the CDS is expected to expand the regular and reserve forces to meet international and domestic obligations, which means the management of the Canadian Forces Recruiting Group so as to streamline the enlistment process of new forces members.[7] The third task is to implement the national defence strategy as outlined by the Queen-in-Council, requiring both the acquisition of new equipment and the strengthening of diplomatic relations via the United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and North American Aerospace Defence Command."[7] Lastly, the CDS must enhance the forces' programme delivery while optimising the use of resources.[7]

The CDS is also the Chair of the Canadian Forces Decorations Advisory Committee, which reviews and recommends to the governor general members of the forces eligible to receive decorations for valour, bravery, and meritorious service, as well as Commander-in-Chief Unit Commendations.[8] This committee mirrors that for the Order of Military Merit, of which the CDS is ex-officio a member and the Principal Commander.[9] Separately, the CDS presents the Chief of the Defence Staff Commendation (French: Mention élogieuse du Chef d'état-major de la Défense)—in the form of a gold bar pin that bears three equilaterally spaced maple leaves—to recognise deeds or activities beyond the normal demands of duty,[10] as well as the Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service, which is given by the CDS on behalf of the entire forces.[11]

The CDS awards the Chief of the Defence Staff Commendation to recognise activity or service beyond regular expectations.[12][13] It can be presented to members of the Canadian Forces, civilian members of the Defence Team (in an overseas operation), and members of an allied foreign military (who's actions benefited Canada).[13] The insignia for wear has the form of a gold bar bearing three gold maple leaves and the award comes with a scroll bearing the citation.[13]

Chiefs of the Defence Staff

Name Rank Image Year Branch Home Province Appointed by Prime Minister Notes
Frank Robert Miller Air Chief Marshal[14] Air Chief Marshal Frank R Miller.jpg 1964–1966 Royal Canadian Air Force BC Georges Vanier Lester B. Pearson [15]
Jean-Victor Allard General 1966–1969 Canadian Army QC Georges Vanier Lester B. Pearson [16]
Frederick Ralph Sharp General General Frederick Ralph Sharp.jpg 1969–1972 Air Command SK Roland Michener Pierre Trudeau [17]
Jacques Alfred Dextraze General 1972–1977 Mobile Command QC Jules Léger Pierre Trudeau [18]
Robert Hilborn Falls Admiral 1977–1980 Maritime Command ON Jules Léger Pierre Trudeau [19]
Ramsey Muir Withers General 1980–1983 Mobile Command ON Edward Schreyer Pierre Trudeau [20]
Gérard Charles Édouard Thériault General 1983–1986 Air Command QC Edward Schreyer Pierre Trudeau [21]
Paul David Manson General Paul David Manson DF-ST-87-12525.jpg 1986–1989 Air Command BC Jeanne Sauvé Brian Mulroney [22]
John de Chastelain General 1989–1993 Mobile Command AB Jeanne Sauvé Brian Mulroney [23]
John Rogers Anderson Admiral 1993 Maritime Command BC Ray Hnatyshyn Jean Chrétien [24]
John de Chastelain General 1994–1995 Land Force Command AB Ray Hnatyshyn Jean Chrétien [23]
Joseph Édouard Jean Boyle General 1996 Air Command ON Roméo LeBlanc Jean Chrétien [25]
Larry Murray (Acting) Vice-Admiral Larry Murray.png 1996–1997 Maritime Command ON Roméo LeBlanc Jean Chrétien [26]
Maurice Baril General Maurice Baril.JPG 1997–2001 Land Force Command QC Roméo LeBlanc Jean Chrétien [27]
Raymond Henault General Ray Henault 071010-D-7203T-004.jpg 2001–2005 Air Command MB Adrienne Clarkson Jean Chrétien [28]
Rick Hillier General Rick Hillier in Colorado.png 2005–2008 Land Force Command NL Adrienne Clarkson Paul Martin [29]
Walter Natynczyk General Walter Natynczyk.png 2008–2012 Land Force Command/Canadian Army MB Michaëlle Jean Stephen Harper [30]
Thomas J. Lawson General Lieutenant-General Thomas J Lawson.jpg 2012–2015 Royal Canadian Air Force ON David Johnston Stephen Harper [31]
Jonathan Vance General 2015 – Present Canadian Army ON David Johnston Stephen Harper [32]

See also

References

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External links

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  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  10. ↑ Department of National Defence 2007, p. 66
  11. ↑ Department of National Defence 2007, p. 80
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ This rank was used during the 20th century existence of the Royal Canadian Air Force and replaced with the rank of general in 1968 with the unification of the Canadian Forces. See Category:Canadian Forces Air Command generals for such officers. Miller was one of only two Canadian Air Chief Marshals, the other being Lloyd Samuel Breadner
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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