The Chiefs of Staff

Abstract

Of all the major parts of the Ministry there can be no doubt that the one surrounding the Chiefs of Staff has commanded, and still commands, most public and political interest and scrutiny whenever changes are mooted. A ministerial reorganisation may produce a temporary political ripple and some discussion almost academic in tone by commentators, but it pales into insignificance when contrasted with the degree of interest in any issue concerning the Chiefs of Staff. In such a context the generic term ‘Chiefs of Staff’ should be taken to cover the spectrum from the concept of any form of tri-Service adviser or ‘Supremo’ — be he a Chief Staff Officer, a Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee or a Chief of Defence Staff — through the three single-Service Chiefs of Staff, to the range of policy staffs primarily in the planning, operational, intelligence and operational requirements fields who work directly for one, or three, or all four of the members of the Chiefs of Staff Committee.